I am new to the forum so I apologize if I am posting in the wrong area. I am currently rebuilding the front brakes on my 73 XJ12. Ultimately, I would like to upgrade the brakes and steering. I already have Brembo rotors and EBC Red brake pads. Any suggestions for my next step?

 

How much braking improvement are you after? What's your goal? What kind of driving will the car see? Or are you many after modernization, rather than increased braking performance?

One upgrade is to convert the rear brakes from inboard to outboard. A big advantage here is easier serviceability down the road....although this may not be a major consideration if the car doesn't see much use.

I think some guys convert the Series I master cylinder to a Series III type.

Cheers
DD

 

Doug,
Thanks for the response. I just moved out here from WA state. Actually, I haven't really had a problem with the brake performance. I am more interested in improving the handling/steering feel. I have heard that swapping out the series I steering assembly for a Series III makes a big improvement with the added benefit of upgrading the brakes in the process. Although I am not a purist (Chevy 350), I'm kind of fond of the inboard rear brakes and like the idea of keeping them. I would like to make maintenance as simple as possible though.

 

So, I have my front brakes apart and there is some pitting on the pistons. Nothing too serious and they look good other that this. How much is too much? Do I need new pistons?

 

My opinion would be that ANY pitting at the seal contact area is reason to replace the pistons.

Dave

 

You mention swapping out the S3 suspension/steering rack. You can do either or both. The S3 rack is faster and has a desirable increase in steering effort. It has some differences in fitment (hoses out the front of the pinion tower; longer lower steering column/u joint needed; metric tie rod ends needed). These differences are compatible with S1 six cylinder engines, but not sure about the 12 (which you no longer have anyway) or the SBC. Probably no problem--a good improvement. The later XJS racks are better still (faster, more effort than S3 XJ rack). You had mentioned already owning new rotors/pads. I think these might be different than S3, so swapping S3 brakes would waste your spares. The 73 V12 was the only S1 with vented rotors, which is good. An S3 swap gets you 4-pot vented rotors and, if you swap the control arms, better geometry (more caster and negative camber possible). It's a big improvement over the S1 six's non-vented rotors, but probably not so much over the S1 V12 setup. IMHO.