Hi: I don't believe that a 1987 xj6 has a caliper mounting bracket. Am I correct?

 

Correct. There is no separate mounting bracket. The caliper bolts to the suspension "upright"


Cheers
DD

 

The upright or vertical link is item #12 in this illustration

https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.../brand/jaguar/

Keep an eye open for the shims, item #21 in the illustration. They go between the steering arm and the caliper

Cheers
DD

 

Thanks Doug. Now I can order a new pair of calipers that I will make corrosion proof then paint and swap out with the originals while I am changing the rotors. I will say the current calipers are really quite corrosion free especially if they are original to the car. I'll keep them as spares. I usually do the same procedure to the rear brakes but given the unusual inboard set up of this car, I will paint the massive rear hub housing which also are really quite clean for their age. I will paint them in place as I don't want to go through the bother of removing them. Here's an example of what I've done on my '91 XJ6:

 

You must be very careful when refitting the steering arm. There is a spacer, (adjusting shim) that, as Doug says, goes between the arm and the caliper. This must be replaced and also fill the gap when the other steering arm bolt is tightened. Failure to do so can cause the steering arm to snap in two. So why didn't Jaguiar make their parts so they fitted without use of these spacers ? Well, you'd have to ask a Jaguar engineer who was around at the time, but they're all retired or dead now ! My opinion is that it was maybe poor machining practice, or an inability with the usual 2nd hand machinery bought by Jaguar to make things accurately. In Midlands factories in England up to the 90s all the production workers were on piece work; hardy conducive to doing things properly. Nowadays everything is made much more accurately.

 

Thanks Fraser. I will tread lightly and take lots of pictures as I do the caliper swap. As I begin to work on the S3, I can see that there were a few improvements made as Jag moved to the xj40 such as the brake system (in terms of maintenance), the construction of the bonnet (xj40 much more sturdier) and my personal favorite, the door cards (or should I say door cardboard for the s3). The xj40 has the rigid foam composition making it much more solid. Well they sure did get the styling right on the s3. What a beauty.

 

I got a nice pair of loaded calipers for the rear of my S3 from Rockauto. good price and no need to mess with core return!!! The old ones around here someplace...