Hello everyone , im going to tackle my own brake job on my 2004 xjr. I will be replacing the front pads and rotors and also the rear pads and rotors along with the emergency brake pad. Any helpfull hints before i get started i.e. special tools ect. Keep in mind this is the "BREMBO" brake system and i'm replacing everything with oem.

 

cincinnati, doing your own brake job is pretty easy. Based on the complexity of your vehicle, it should be like doing any other vehicle other than I would recommend opening up the bleed port on the calipers before pushing the pistons back into the caliper. This will ensure you don't backflush the system and cause any damage. From there, a quick flush of the brake system (get a quart of the proper brake fluid and it will be more than enough to do your whole car) and you will be done. I use some clear tygon to check to see if I have any air in the system. It also gives you a chance to see how bad the fluid is. Atleast on my X-Type, the fluid is a very, very pale green when new, but after having been in the system, it turns a dark green. So, use that as a gauge for how much flushing of fluid you need to do.

 

Thanks for the input sir.

 

Cincy, did you change your Brembo pads? Were the rear anymore difficult than the front? My understanding is the rear don't slide in, they screw in somehow. Can you confirm, and is there any trick to replacing the front and rear pads? Thanks

 

I'm interested too, since I may have to change the pads on my '04 XJ8 soonish.

A further question - are there any upgrades to OEM XJ8 pads that readers would recommend?

 

if they're just the plain XJ8 pads (not on a brembo system) you'll get alot of preferences toward EBC reds and the Akebono Euro ceramics. I tried both, and found the Akebonos dusted ALOT less. They are pricier than other brands, but thats not always a bad thing.

 

Cincinatti: How did you remove the brembo electronic emergency brake pads

 

I use ATE Super Blue with good results. Use Gold for the next flush of brake fluid. Makes it easy to see when the old stuff is pushed out.
Pelican Parts sells a power bleeder for BMW that fits the newer Jags. Just pump it up and bleed. Makes it a one man job. about $60.
I usually change brake fluid at 18-24 month intervalls regardless of mileage.
Not sure about Brembos but stock rear brakes you need a piston retraction tool to deal with the emergency brake system or else it gets screwed up.
+1 on opening the bleeders before pushing the pistons back in the calipers.
Why back feed that junk into the system?
Plenty of posts about brake systems on this forum that have good info.
Chad

 

I did replace both front and rear rotors and pads. Although there is a special tool that can be purchased at any foreign auto parts store ($8.00) I didnt need it. A regular pair of needle nose pliers did the job. Once you drop the parking brake pads (brembo sys) - you turn back the piston by inserting the ends of the pliers into the two holds and turning back the piston. Which direct I forget, but it will come to you - Thats it. Oh you have to take the two bolts out holding the parking park caliper so you can get to things. You can look up the torque specs with a regular google search. When I figure out hold to add a document I will add all my documents with specs and how to's.

 

Did you use this power bleeder on your Jag?

 

I will be replacing my rear pads and rotors (05 VDP). I went with Akebono Euro Ceramic pads and Beck/Arnley rotors. Good tip on leaving the bleeder valve open while screwing the caliber piston back in. I was also planning on bleeding the system with my vacuum pump. Does 76ft lbs of torque sound right for the caliber bracket bolts?

 

I replaced both the front and rear brakes on my 2004 XJR (Brembo) today. I went with Akebono ceramic pads all around and Centric rotors. I didn't have any problems. It took about 2 1/2 hours. I reused the pads for the parking brakes. I replaced all of the fluid too. Parts cost me $438.00. I bought all of the parts online. After starting the car, it displayed a "parking brake" error. I disconnected the battery then reconnected it. I shifted the transmission into gear, depressed the brake, then engaged the parking brake several times. I heard the rear brakes ratchet and all was well. Brake pedal is hard and braking is very smooth now without any noise. At 40,000 miles, my brake pads were shot! There was hardly any meat left on them. I think it is good to take these components apart anyway at a certain mileage just to clean out the rust and gunk and to free up any rusted bolts, etc. I am confident now that the new brakes will last me for a long, long time. If anyone has a specific question regarding the brake install, feel free to PM me, or post the question so that all can learn. I think that spending this amount of money on an $80,000 car was well worth my while!

 

My new brakes have "broken in". My car stops much, much smoother than before the brakes were installed. Zero vibration and excellent stopping power. NO BRAKE DUST on my rims! So far, this is the best thing I have done to my car. I highly recommend it to any other owner.

 

Hi XJRTrooper, I'm replacing the pads on my 04 XJR soon and had a question regarding the part number you used on yours. I'm looking for the exact part number for the Akebono pads.

Amazon and Akebono list the pads that "fit" the XJR as:
Akebono EUR592
Akebono EUR938

I saw a message however on Amazon's product reviews saying these are too small for the XJR from a disappointed buyer. I think these are for the XJ8 model however and won't work.

Other's on this site have said instead the correct ones are:
Akebono EUR1065 (Front)
Akebono EUR806 (Rear)

I'm getting this idea from another post by Stanigu and his 04 XJ VDP and a post hlgeorge.

If you (or anyone else) could confirm the correct set for the XJ X350 model that would be a huge help. Thanks.

 

Swisher,

I bought my brake pads from Advance Auto and they are the EUR592 and EUR938. I have the XJR with Brembos and they fit perfectly. Advance Auto shows them as being a perfect fit also. Good luck. It made a HUGE difference in how my car drives. Very, very little dust compared to the OEM pads.

 

I too recently used
Akebono EUR592 Akebono EUR938 from Amazon. See thread
Upon removal of the oem pads I compared them to the Akebonos and they seemed to match up perfectly.

It has been a couple of weeks and my wheels are clean and the brakes are quiet. The oem pads would mess my wheels within 3 days!

 

So the front and rear pads have a different part number for the XJR? I'm looking to replace my oem pads with the Akebonos but Amazon shows EUR1095 for my 08 XJL and nothing is listed indicating front or rear application. Is there a website where you can see which one will fit?

 

The post in the How To Section: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ice-how-61323/

may help you. There are part numbers for readily available brake pads plus procedures for calibrating the parking brake, retracting the rear caliper pistons and bleeding air from the system.