Hi, I've still got my '82 xjs and the small elbow coming off the brake resvr was loose and sucked in air and now I think they'll need to be bled. Does the cradle need to come down to do the rears, or can I reach the bleeder screws with it up? I was told by a local caliper rebuilder that they should be 10mm. Is this also correct?. Thanks

 

You do not have to drop the rear to bleed the brakes. It is fiddley but you can get to the bleed screws. I do not recall the size but 10mm sounds a little large. Try an 8 or a 10mm.
Rear is much easier than the front.

 

The rear brakes on your car are not metric. IF I remember correctly, its 7/16. But that MAY be the hard lines! I suggest a crows foot that is somewhat short, makes it pretty simple with the car on stands!

 

On my 87, the FRONT brakes are metric. Not sure about your 82. I have a feeling this thread will get to "speed bleeders" at some point. Pn the crows foot wrench, if its a little long, cut off the other side so you get about a 4 inch wrench. Now you have a "custom Jaguar tool"! Not going to be your last! ;-)