I'm slowly getting to the point with my rear brakes overhaul project where I have to decide what method to use to replace the rotors. Right now methinks maybe splitting the calipers is the way to go. Needless to say, it is my first time messing with these brakes.
Has anyone here split the calipers? Any tips or hints? What tools I need [for splitting]?

 

The easiest and quickest way to replace the rear brakes and service the handbrake callipers is to remove the rear cage. That way you can get at everything and do the job properly.

 

Not for me, it is not. 20 years ago it would have been, then I owned a shop with car lifts in it and there were mechanics working for me, ready to assist. Now I live in another country, cancer took 85 lbs of my weight and all my strength and there is nobody to assist me but wife. No car lift, just stands. I'd say under these circumstances removing the cage is the most complicated solution.
I'm considering splitting the calipers is the best solution for me, it would also allow me easy access to the pistons, they need some attention.

 

Nope, it is still the easiest...

The cage is held in place with 8 screws, two radius bars, one hand brake cable and 3 bolts from the prop (which you can also split).

And even on your own without a hoist and only with a jack and some small axle stands, the job is easily doable on the garage floor.

 

Right now my car is sitting not high enough to get the cage out. It took me half a day to get it that high and the stands are maxed out. Can't do it with the cage on the floor under car, the rotors won't come out. And this may require some physical action to mess with the cage, I'm so weak from cancer treatment I have hard time holding my motorcycle up when stopped at red light. Nope, dropping the cage is not the best option for me.

 

Jaguar says in their manuals Not to split any calipers, unless you have the right alignment tools...

 

Now that's interesting. Are they hinting it is impossible to put it back exactly how it was without these mysterious alignment tools?

 

I split my calipers and replaced the O rings, that was 6 years ago now. The calipers aligned with the bolts.

The O ring is just in the pic on the bottom right. Rear calipers do not have O rings as they have external pipe.