Thanks again for some great advice. I do think I have a wheel bearing issue -- will check it out tomorrow.

 

Hi
I looked up the standard shop hours on my alldata diy subscription for standard XJ8 brakes (not Brembo R type):

Front & Rears brake pads - 2 hrs
remove & replace each rotor - 0.3 hrs x 4 rotors = add 1.2 hrs
Therefore total for pads & rotors - 3.2 hrs

Our Indy mechanic gave us a special xmas price ($100 labor) in Dec 2009 for front & rear brake pads & rotors. It was an appreciation gesture. I think it only took him a little less than 2 hours.

Standard shop hours for front wheel bearing is 2.6 hours (all data diy). Our other Indy shop replaced front passenger wheel bearing May 2011 (took him 2.4 hrs to replace it and charged us about $200 for labor).

Jim Lombardi

 

Based on that, it looks like I should expect anywhere from 3 to 3.5 hours for pads and rotors all around -- I think my guy charges $85/hour, so that would be about $300 labor plus his charge for the parts. I know I can find the parts for under $300, but I don't know if he will do the same. If the parts are under $300, then I should be able to get the entire job done for $600, not $700 as quoted by the other shop. Can't wait to find out what he quotes me tomorrow -- this is the same guy that quoted 8 hours labor for a valve cover gasket replacement! I have no complaints about this guy's work, just that his quotes have been higher than some other places. When I get his price, I'll most likely decide to do it myself.

 

Maybe that included lunch and his doctor's appointment.

 

Well, when he told me that price ($1,200), all I could think of -- you'd have to take me to dinner and a movie first! LOL

 

OldMike
Danielsand did make a great purchase deal on the pads & rotors (Ebay listing - item number 310606044434).

I paid AutoPartsWarehouse almost $440 for AKEBONO EURO ULTRA-PREMIUM BRAKE PADS, CERAMIC (for all 4 wheels) and Brembo Plain ventilated rotors (2 for front and 2 for rear).

Almost 3 years and 4 months (30,600 miles) with almost no brake dust and no noticeable problems with the brakes so far.

Jaguar dealership quoted me $738 just parts and labor for rear brake pads and rotors.

Jim Lombardi

 

Jim -- I put almost 30k on my car in a year! LOL Gets kind of expensive to use the top of line pads, so I've usually used (not on my Jag, I haven't done the brakes on this car) the "silver" or mid-range pads. I don't drive real hard or aggressively, so brake dust hasn't been much of a problem for me.

 

OldMike
I noticed that you have a 2003 XJR. Does your car have the special "R" performance brakes (these are special equipped large Brembo Rotors with multiple pistons calipers)?

They are a very expensive brake system - premium dollars for premium performance.

Jim Lombardi

 

I have a 2003 XJ8, not XJR so I shouldn't have the brembos.

 

OldMike
Your "About Me" section on your User profile webpage - "Vehicle Info" says XJR.

Your Signature says 2003 XJ8.

That is why I was confused.

Jim Lombardi

 

Jim - thanks for pointing that out, I fixed it.

 

Did I read correctly that your mechanic quoted you $1200 for the 4 wheel brake job? That's outrageous if the case. From the link to the DIY pictorial seems like the process is pretty straightforward. I've done pads only on my old Suburban and on several Hondas over my car owning life. Did rotors and pads on a Hyundai Sonata, used el cheapo and rotors warped within the first two months of Atlanta driving. I suspect hot summers, interstate stop and go, and slamming through rain puddles probably were to blame.

 

No, the quote was for a valve cover gasket installation -- not brakes. I've done brakes many times before, just checking into what a reasonable price would be to have someone do it for me.

 

Well, after all this it turns out I don't need brakes! When I had the wheels balanced, we (the mechanic and I) took a good look at the pads and rotors and they're all just fine! The reason I thought I needed brakes was two-fold. First, I was told a couple months ago at a tire shop when I had one tire replaced that my rear brakes were shot, almost didn't let me drive it out of there! They wanted $360 to replace the rear pads and rotors. Second, my imagination must've been taking over because it seemed like I needed brakes but it must've just been that my wheels were out of balance! It drives and brakes fine now. He charged me $40 to balance all the wheels, not bad! So, I'm off the brake project for now.

Thanks for all the input!

Funny story -- I was standing by my car in the shop, the car was on the hoist, another customer walked by and said "A Jag in the shop, go figure! Ha ha!" I said, "You obviously don't know what you're talking about, it's the most reliable car I've ever owned!" He glared at me and walked away. I guess I could've been more friendly, but what stupid thing to say to me!

 

Sounds like a case of Jaguar-envy.

 

Possibly, but I think it was pure ignorance! LOL

 

Although this thread is a bit dated, I'm hoping someone will respond. I took my 2004 XJ8 into the shop I usually go to. (I'm not at all mechanical like most of you guys so yes, i take my car in for service , but I do like to know how things work on my car.
Anyway, I was hearing a horrible grinding noise - front tire area. He told me the rotors were very, very, very (yes, 3 verys) bad and needed replaced, along with brake pads. (Cost $670). I would love to see what a very very very bad rotor looks like? Does anyone have a pic they can share?
And are the rotors on the 2004 XJ8 slotted/drilled?

Thanks ahead,
Newbiegurl

 

Here is an example of a Very, Very, Very worn rotor, (left side is new, right is worn; That is a dangerous example):
They can also just be very thin and not have those grooves to pass as Very, Very, Very. The grooves and grinding sound are normally symptoms of the rivets on the pads grinding into the rotors.

I personally have never paid anyone else to do a brake job, so I cannot comment on the value of your quote. Maybe someone else will have an idea.



They CAN be slotted and drilled, but they don't NEED to be. Sometimes it does not cost much more, depends on the brand and quality of parts used.

Here is a Random Example of Rotors that fit your car.
2004 Jaguar XJ8 Brake Rotors - JCWhitney

 

Great composite pic.
Graham

 

Disks have a minimum thickness too, so they may not look bad from the front, but if they have worn too thin then you risk them failing.

I replaced the pads and disks on my car recently with parts from FCPEuro, they were fantastic to deal with and went out of their way to make sure I got exactly what I need. I would highly recommend talking to them, sourcing the parts yourself, then getting your local mechanic to install them. It's a very simple job