Jaguar Repair: 87 Jaguar xjs rear brakes siezed, caliper pistons, jaguar xjs

Question
Hi and Thanks in advance.
After my wife drove the 87 XJS this morning (maybe for 3 km) there was smoke coming out of the left rear wheel well. I thought it might be a brake problem so touched the wheels, axle behind the wheels, and they were not hot. Still there was a tremendous amount of heat, and an oil or rubber smelling smoke.
I understand that the brakes on this model are next to the differential. At the time  didn't know that, so didn't look to see if the area was hot.
The car had been stored for the last 8 months so seizing is not out of the question.
My question is: Is there a simple solution to this, or will it require an experienced mechanic?
Thanks again.

Answer
Hi Dale,
You need to get the car up on a lift or up on jack stands and get under and look. But the first thing I would look at is the hand brake. If the hand brake had been left on for 8 mo. the cable may be rusted and thus held the hand brake pads tight to the disks. (a more common problem)

If the hand brake pads are not holding the disks, and it is the caliper pistons holding the brake pads tight you need to have someone pump the brakes up hard and release the pedal to see if they release the rear disks. If not open the bleeder valve on the calipers to see if that releases the brakes. If it does then you have a master cylinder problem and if it don't you have a rear caliper problem.

Either repair is not an easy job for a non mechanic and not even an easy job for a non Jaguar mechanic. You need to find a Jaguar mechanic to correct either as you could get into a lot of trouble having a domestic car mechanic attempt the job unless it is the hand brake cable problem.

Howard