Hi Guys,
Saw a post a couple of weeks ago by 'oldmots' regarding rotor shake caused by the wrong pads being installed. My beloved has the same issue and I was going to pick up a set of drilled / slotted disks from iRotors out of Corona CA. Is there anything particularly spooky about the brakes that I shouldn't do it myself ? - done loads of brake work on Brit and American cars alike .......

Russ

 

? AS LONG AS NEW ROTORS AND YOUR HUBS ARE IN SPEC FOR RUNOUT YOU SHOULD HAVE NO ISSUES...

 

I did not mean to indicate that there are "wrong" pads causing the problem, I meant cheap pads or poor quality pads that cause high operating temps and a formulation that allows the deposit of material from the pad to the rotor under those high heat conditions (pad deposition). Many people would think of "wrong" pads only that they did not fit the car. Just like any product, there are companies out there selling brake pads that are poor quality. You won't know if they are any good until you get some miles on them, by then, they have your money! You will notivce that OEM pads shed dust like crazy, well, this is a way of holding the temps down to prevent pad deposition. OEM pads usually do not have the problem of rotor deposition, although there are always exceptions. I have the OEM pads on my 05 XJ8, they arehalf worn out and have no deposition problems but they dust like crazy.
I will also add, as I often do, that drilled and slotted rotors will reduce your braking efficiency, not improve it. Remember, there is less surface area! They may look boy raceristic, but they areworse than OEMunless you are a track guy using racing formula pads and multipiston calipers in a racing format. High performace brakes on a street car are a pain and stop poorly comparedto OEM.

 

Thanks Oldmots,

Basically the answer I needed - I'll pick up a set of OEM rotors and pads.

Russ.

 

What aftermarket pad/rotors have you used that you liked on the XJ8? I see some banner advertisers on this site. Have you used them before?

 

tirerack has only one set of rear pads for '04 XJ "satisfied PRO" - they dust a hell lot and whine too, so I would not recommend.

 

I have used Akebono Ceramic pads, they are very low dust and high quality (the best OEM type pads out there in my opinion). I have used EBC Green stuff, high quality, pretty dusty; Ferodo are high quality, pretty dusty; Jurid pads are OEM type, high quality, very dusty.

 

Did you use the ceramic pads on stock rotors? Any noise with them?

 

The Akebono Euro Ceramic pads are not a racing pad, they are used with stock rotors. They are quiet with little dust. I currently have them on my X300 , not the X350.

 

It is quite hard to find the correct Akebono rear pads for X350. Different sites say different models. Anybody actually tried some, so we know for sure?

Also it looks like the brakes were updated at some point (2005?), so it is VIN dependant.

 

2004 lists both XJ8 and Vanden Plas as different models and different pads...

 

Did the brakes a few weeks ago and is running great. Replaced OEM rotors up front, kept the OEM rotors in the back and replaced all four with Akebono pads.

The Akebono pads a less dusty than OEM's, are quiet and have adequate stopping power. So far, so good!

 

Can you give the part numbers for the pads front and rear?

 

Front:AKEBONO Part # EUR1065




Rear: AKEBONO Part # EUR806

Ordered from www.rockauto.com

 

What rotors did you use for the front?

 

I used the factory rotors from Jaguar. I originally bought front rotors as listed from Rock Auto, but they were 20 mm too narrow [:@]was in a bind. Rock Auto did refund me the rotor cost and shipping, but it was sure a hassle. The pads were correct.

My Jag repair shop said they had the best luck with all OEM factory stuff, but thought the Akebono pads "looked" good. So far no complaints.

I guess either front or back rotors can't be turned, so if there's any marking on the rotors, just order them ahead.