Greetings,
I have a 99 XK8 Coupe I have had for 2 years, it has 94k miles. The car is in storage more than driven and I want to change that because I want to drive it but need to resolve a few things first. I do some of the work myself and some at local shops. I have an issue with the brakes that is really puzzling.

I am replacing brake pads got new brake pads compressed the caliper all the way in, the pads will not fit because there is not enough space to install bad the caliper with the new pads. I compared the pads I have with another set of new pads they are the same thickness. Should I replace the calipers?

Thanks

 

Either the calipers aren't opened fully, rotors are too wide or the pads are too thick. Chances are good worn rotors aren't too wide. New calipers likely won't be any wider.
You can try to track down the pad dimensions and see if the new ones are too wide or for a different model.

The easiest way out might be grab the best old ones with meat and run an old and new one on each caliper. Next year, put the other new one in.

It reminds me of a Honda Accord I gave my sister-in-law after installing new brake pads. The car lasted 6 days as she drove it on the highway in 2nd gear/limp mode. I then gave her a Honda Civic. I put one new thicker Accord pad in with each caliper, as they were too thick together. Then, maybe a year later, stuck the other Accord pads in. She had more brake material in the car than it had brand new. About a month later, she paid a fortune and had the brakes replaced. By the way, she's a lawyer.

 

I suspect you aint pushed them right back ..If you use a G clamp they will bottom and you will be sure they are fully in