I tried to replace my 2006 XJR front brake pads & rotors, but failed . I purchased Baer Decela Sport Rotors (drilled & slotted) and a set of Akebono Ero Ultra Premium ceramic pads.

After reading through posts on this site I decided to tackle the job.

First issue I ran into was the 2 bolts that have the dust covers over them. I read that, they were a 7mm Hex allen. The 7mm was too small. Does anybody know the correct size/type?

Also, the pads were not correct for the XJR, the supplier sent the type with two holes drilled into the top, from what I could see the existing pads on the car had arms/hooks on either side of the pad. Does anybody happen to know a part number for XJR front Akebonos Euro Ultra Premium?

Also, I noticed there was a cut/tear on one of the rubber caliper piston covers/seals. I see there’s a caliper rebuild kit available. What’s involved in replacing the turn cover/seal? Is it a difficult job?

 

You need a 9mm Allen socket ( listed on eBay as suitable for BMW front brake removal) cost about 5 pounds with delivery.

 

The X350/8 supercharged brakes after VIN G49701 (post-Brembo) are the same ATE calipers, pads and discs as the X351, XF and others with the 355mm front discs.

The fronts are 355mm discs, and the caliper slide bolts are 9mm hex as caldoofy mentions. The pistons push straight back.

The rears are 326mm discs, and the caliper slide bolts are 7mm hex. The pistons need to be rewound.

You normally don't need to remove the bracket to change the discs and pads unless there is an awkward wear rim on the disc. If you do remove the mounting backets you should replace the M12 bolts as well, but realistically if they clean up and you apply new threadlock I'm sure they would be ok to reuse. (Don't skip the threadlock if you do - if you've ever walked down the hard shoulder of a motorway you will be familiar with the range of caliper mounting bolts you find there!)

 

Ok, I haven't been able to find new caliper bolts, so I guess I'll clean the originals up. I did order new rubber caliper boots. I've got the removable thread locker. Had to return the Akebono pads for EBC Red Stuff. So, when my new parts arrive I'll be back in the ring for round 2.

 

By coincidence I have just today fitted the ATE brakes to my earlier X350 XJ6 as the old rear pistons had both siezed and I wanted to use the same parts as my X351. I found the rear dics can be manhandled off/onto the hub without removing the brackets but for the fronts the large "shoulder" on the inside of the disc won't clear the studs so you do need to remove the bracket to change those.

The bolts for mounting the the brakets to the hub carrier front and back with the ATE calipers are C2C33384. M12 x 35mm. Cost is about £2 each, David Manners do them in 10's for £19, any any dealer will have bins of them for a similar cost. Using threadlock on good condition bolts should not be an issue though.