brake discs removal?
 

Hi there, i need to replace all four brake discs and pads on my 2010 xor, i would normally get my local garage to do it however i want to send the wheels away for refurbishment so it will be on stands for a couple of weeks while they are done so i thought i would change the discs and pads my self (i used to be a mechanical engineer) are the discs easy to remove or are special tools required?

The discs are worn but they would skim up ok, is it worth doing this or just fit new ones?

and i could do with some decent brake pads, any recommendations?

regards
simon

Simon,

I've moved you thread from XK8/XKR 1996-2006 forum to XK/XKR 2006 onwards forum. This is the place for questions about your 2010 XKR.

Graham

Welcome to the forum Simon!

The biggest issue with removing the rotors is often that they have rusted to the hubs making them very difficult to break free. Loosen the lug nuts one turn and then rock the car. Even move it under power (slowly) and apply the brakes. Other than that a socket and an Allen wrench will get everything off. I turned my rotors but couldn't get the warp out before hitting the minimum thickness. You can spend a lot of money on an XKR rotors and pads so shop around. I don't know about you but I don't ask the car for anywhere near its capabilities and shop for replacement parts accordingly.

Simon,
Once an engineer always an engineer.

It is still only nuts and bolts after all. Just be careful of the sensors.

If the discs are worn then I certainly would not skim them. More chance of warping or possible failure in the future.

As for replacements, the choice is endless. I always go with OEM and for me that is Brembo loads of dosh. I just like to know that the car I have worked hard and saved for, is going to stop in any given situation.

Other people will have different views but this is just mine.

Hope this helps,

I've just read your intro, 600Hp at the wheels, your going to need jumbo jet brakes to stop that thing.

Yep agree about the engineer thing!

I never have found the brakes that good, but as you say, given its power it really does need some serious brakes, I do use the power and i do expect the car to does what it says on the tin and i would like to upgrade the pads, and if i need to replace the discs then i will but not sure where to start looking?

I'm not a great fan of skimming. After the work to remove the discs, why bother with the inconvenience of having the vehicle up on stands waiting for refurbishment. Throw them away and fit new.

The main reason usually given for switching pads is brake dust. I've never read comparative tests on stopping distances with different brands of pad on the XK. The only way to make an appreciable difference is with caliper/pad switch giving greater contact area.

Are you dissatisfied with OE?

Graham

d

I just ordered my full set of replacement rotors...

As many of my fellow Jag owners in my area can attest, I'm somewhat a aggressive driver, so for my needs, I stepped up a level... Not the highest or best mind you, but certainly one that meets my driving needs.

I chose Power Slot Cryo's (Slotted) for a few reasons.
First is I have used them on past cars that I tracked often, and can attest to their durrabillity, but more importantly, I learned of them through a friend who services a small fleet of police cars (about 12).
Seems police vehicles eat rotors like doughnuts with daily driving... He switched to Cryo rotors and cut downtime and overall costs immensely.

Power Slot also owns their own foundries, so your not buying Chinese blanks ground to look pretty.... (I have spoken to their engineers in the past asking for metallurgy data and Rockwell hardness ratings, and they were quick to reply with factual data.)

FYI: Centrix now owns Power Slot (As of about 3 or 4 years ago), and with that purchase the entire Centrix line took a leap in quality and diversity including the StopTech line of products!

Power Slot offers a good bang for the buck for aggressive drivers and long term owners...

You can get most any rotor Cryo'ed so your call there...

I had custom pads made for my XK by Porterfield. Very aggressive, but I pulled them due to noise. Porterfield will make pads with any compound in their inventory for you if you wish.

Best of luck
Vince

thanks guys for the advice so far, I have never been overly impressed with the brake performance of the car compared to some other fast cars that i have owned, but it might be that they have been progressively getting worse, the discs are warped but not noticeable when town driving but at speed you can feel it in the wheel but the brakes have become very noisy now but i do know that the pads are very worn


I have never understood why on cars like these they never fitted slotted and cross drilled discs!

I will be looking at different suppliers and seeing what they can offer against OEM

I am surprised to read the dissatisfaction regarding the brakes. It takes NA XK about 106ft to come to a stop from 60. Which is very impressive (same as Maserati GT)

The XKR with larger rotors and pistons should lower than number by a few feet.

You may just need new rotors and pads.

Agreed,
In my case I have simply worn out the rotors at the 64K mile mark.

One issue I think gets overlooked when folk complain about stopping power is tires...
The best brake system on the planet will still be held to the limits of the tire compound.

Bedding pads on my XK is a test of my stomachs fortitude... On Bridgestone S-04 tires, the braking power is so violent I become nauseous after 5 or 6 hard stops... Lesser compounds would activate the ABS long before the S-04 would even think of letting go....

:icon_twocents:
Vince

My brakes are excellent. (factory brakes)

I've used EBC pads. The thing with brakes is that the harder the pad the more wear on the disc.

The EBC Redstuff pads are made with a Kevlar compound. They wore out the discs in a little over a year.

If you track the car the harder pads may be a good option. They aren't really necessary for street use.

There's also the issue with brake dust and noise. Softer pads are better for street use and lower noise.

Very simple- slotted and drilled rotors don't shorten stopping distances. They help only in forestalling 'brake fade' which would only occur under all-out racing conditions.

tyres are all good and they are the J rated ones specified by Jag, cant remember the make, fair point about the slotted and cross-drilled discs.

i have looked for some EBC pads but as yet have not found any listed for the 5L s/C, will keep looking though.

Maybe I just need to slow down!

Welcome to the forum!

There is no difficiency in stock properly serviced 2010 XKR brakes on the street for aggressive driving. I even track mine and haul down through 10 corners on a minute 40 sec lap from up to almost 140 mph...lap after lap...with great grip and no discernable fade. Replace worn pads and rotors and enjoy! I wouldn't even consider slotted or cross drilled rotors for anything but bling...if you even like that sort of thing on such a beauty!

Bruce

I've used Redstuff in the past and wasn't happy... (again, not on a Jag) Pulled them in favor of the Hawk HPS-Plus which got me many more laps before I felt any pedal change.

Now that I just yanked my Porterfields off, I was struggling with where to go. Guess I'll play with a set of Yellowstuff next..... At least EBC finally started using the NRS backing plates like Hawk does so no more delaminating!

V

Can I recomend Akebono? I have had a couple of customers changed from oe to akebono and been very happy since.