Brakes

My '85 XJS has 42k miles on it, and the rotors are warped pretty badly (steering wheel shakes when stoping). I was hoping someone made a kit or had some experience with upgradeing the front brakes.

Don't these cars weight roughly 3800lbs? Thats alot of car to stop..

My cars got a 350chevy in it, and its a little warmed-over so it sees some "spirited" driving at times... I just want a little better brakes and reduce the chance of warping the rotors in the future.

Any advice would be great..

thanks

-Chris

Mark,

When was the last time the brake lines were bled? Uneven braking can sometimes be as simple as air in the lines or old fluid. Probably not the problem, but simple to do.

Before laying out a ton of money for any ABS parts, go to Jag-lovers (www.jag-lovers.org) and search the XJS archives. There have been several threads on the XJS list about replacement parts for the XJS ABS brakes. Apparently the module which Jaguar dealers and specialists sell for a small fortune is identical to a standard GM part (exactly the same, numbers and all) that costs far less (under $100, as I recall?? -- don't hold me to it).

Pulling to one side usually means look to the other. A hard pull to the left means look at the right side. The left side is grabbing and the right is not. My personal feeling with brakes is to rebuild both sides at the same time, not just one. If one side failed, the other can't be far behind. Brakes are too important, especially in those panic situations, to worry about how they will perform.

BTW, while you're at the Jag-lovers site, download "The Book" by Kirby Palm. You'll find everything you ever wanted to know and more about the XJS in that book. The best free thing you'll ever get.

Steve Weinstein
'72 E-type 2+2
'70 XKE FHC (coming home soon)
Former '89 XJS owner

Hi - on the subject of brakes, I've got a specific problem and have heard of multiple- and very expensive - possible solutions. If I apply hard brakes, the car dives hard to the left. If I apply pressure slowly, she stops in a straight line. The brake warning and ABS lights go on in hard braking situations. The pull to the left is hard. I've been told that it's a lazy solenoid in the ABS and will cost at least $1500 to relace. Have also been told that I need a new power assist nitrogen cylander for the system. Last, have been told to rebuild the right front calipers.

Any thoughts??

Thanks.
J. Mark Foley
1989 XJS

Is there a specific problem with the brakes? I ask this only because, in my experience, it takes some mighty agressive driving to overwhelm the existing system as Jaguar designed it, assuming everything is up to snuff.

S/S braided lines wouldn't hurt. There's a wide variety of pad compositions out there. Several vendors offer vented/slotted rotors (of questionable value, so I've heard).

More info, please !

Cheers
Doug Dwyer
JDRC/NWA