Jaguar Repair: 86 xj6 S3

Question
I NEED INFO ON HOW TO REPLACE REAR BRAKE PADS ON ABOVE VEHICLE THANKS

Answer
Hi Bill,

The rear brakes are inboard brakes meaning they are mounted on the differential. The car needs to be on either jack stands or on a lift. The calipers are on the forward side. Note that there are two long pins, one upper and one lower holding the brake pads in place. Each pin has a small hair pin securing the long pin in place. pull the hair pin out of each long pin and slide the long pins out of the caliper using a pair of needle nose pliers. When one pin is out you will note that a wire spring clip (anti rattle clip will pop out) Retrieve the anti rattle clips as they don't always come with new pads.

After both long pins are removed use the needle nose pliers to pull only one pad out and leave the other in. Look to see that the master cylinder reservoir is not full to the top. If it is remove about half of the fluid. Some mechanics grip the metal part of the old brake pad with a pair of visegrip pliers and use the old pad as a pry bar to force the brake caliper piston back into its bore. Others use a large screwdriver or suitable tool but be careful not to damage the rubber dust boot on the piston.

After you inspect the condition of the brake disk you can install the one new brake pad. Now you can remove the other old pad using it to pry the other piston back into it's bore. If you remove both old pads at the same time and try to force a piston back into it's bore it will just push the other piston out. Some mechanics prefer to put a bleeder hose on the bleeder valve and open it up with the hose down into a jar to force the fluid into a jar instead of back into the reservoir.

After both pads are in place put only one long pin in to hold the pads in and install the wire anti-rattle wire spring clips in place as you push the second pin in and install the second anti-rattle wire clip in place. Once both pins are in place put the small hair pin clips into each long pin.

While you are there you should look for any signs of brake fluid leaks and differential fluid leaks and inspect the hand brake pads for ware and adjust then if necessary.

Then do the other caliper the same way and be sure to pump up the brakes before driving as it may take more then one pump of the pedal to get brakes and then check the reservoir fluid level.

Howard