Brake Cailpers

[John042]

Progress as such. Hand Brake Calipers removed, hydraulics disconnected, brake pads out and caliper bolts undone. Offside caliper removed no problem. The other I've tried every way but no luck, the chassis tube leaves no room. Options, remove the disc or split the caliper in situ. Am I missing something. I don't remember have this much problem with my 2.8i. Brute force doesn't seem to help as the caliper will not move above the chassis tube to allow extraction from the side. Advice please? J C.

[wedgewood]

The only thing I can think of on the n/s is the exhaust where it goes over the driveshaft, is the calliper catching it when you try to remove it? Have you removed the bridge brake pipe completely? Otherwise it should come out reasonably easily with a bit of a twist and turn. Getting them back in and lined up is a right faf!

[wedgewood]

Just been out and had a look under the car. Mine is a non standard exhaust so please ignore previous post. I cant quite remember the route the calliper had to take but I think it had to come upwards and inwards to avoid the diagonal chassis tube up into the large void behind the fuel tank toward the rear shelf, you then should be able to thread it out to the side of the car and down from there. I hope that's correct.

[John042]

Thanks Ian, no the exhaust is not the problem. I must admit I'd been on my back for a few hours releasing locking wire, tab washers and reluctant caliper mounting bolts before the problem so may have been a "Wood and Trees" syndrome creeping in. Will attack it tomorrow. There doesn't seem to be clearance between the outer caliper piston housing and the lower chassis tube to raise it and rearwards. The offside was fine. It must go without further dismantling? Cheers J C.

[wedgewood]

Yes I know what you mean about wood and trees. When you go back to it with a fresh outlook it will probably fall out on its own! You definitely do not need to split the caliper. Good luck.

[KKson]

If there's one thing I do hate about our Wedges it's that back axle and brake caliper access. It is truly bloody stupid with no thought to maintenance.

[John042]

Thanks Keith/Ian for your encouragement, Tomorrow's another day. Nothing falls out of a Wedge though unless it's on your head or in your eyes! The back axle arrangement is a pain for any maintenance, mine must have never been touched judging from the secure wire locking and tab washers on the hand brake. The nearside caliper is a challenge. It begs the question if you get it out hopefully you'll remember how to put it back? J C

[adam quantrill]

Maybe too late but I thing the handbrake calipers will come off attached to the main calipers so you can leave the tabs until its on the bench. It might save time on reassembly though.

[John042]

Thanks Adam, the hand brake calipers are already removed. Yes a fresh approach and the NSR one is off. A struggle as it had to forced upwards past the chassis tube. On inspection things aren't good. I was going the exchange route but one caliper has a crack near the bleed screw were an oversize screw was fitted, the other a broken pipe union. So I guess replacements, as most places won't accept calipers for exchange in that condition. There's 2 on fleebay but they look as if they're corroded. Any thoughts on source for new calipers please? J C.

[gmw9666]

Weirdly had the same on my old 420SE, if it helps mine would only come out and back in from the near side of the car vs the off side. Like a game of bloody Tetris lol

[John042]

Thanks Glen, indeed the nearside caliper was really tight to remove. So in all I'm the market for replacement calipers since mine are un-rechargeable. Incidentally can the rear discs be removed without dismantling the suspension? Cheers J C.

[pk500]

You undo the shaft and the discs come off once caliper is removed just check if it’s shimmed behind disc to get it central to caliper

[John042]

Thanks Paul so removing the 4 x shaft bolts gives enough room to slide the disc out? I'm about to order calipers from Brit Spares a Jag site, XJ6. Are the discs the same as they have an offer on? Thanks J C

[adam quantrill]

Yeah it's all jag stuff on there. Unless you have the very rare vented rear discs.

Undoing the 4 driveshaft bolts should free the disc. Mine had a shim behind it on one side.

I marked all the shims with a permanent marker L or R so I didn't lose track.

[John042]

Thanks Adam. No they're solid discs so XJ6? I've had second thoughts about the ones on fleabay as they look corroded being in "Storage" for 4 years with no warranty. British Parts UK seem to be able to supply most rear brake parts, the handbrake calipers I'll get refurbed. That's good news on disc removal, at least I can leave the suspension refurb for another day. Thanks J C.