I think you're in over your head. Please call me for backup.

As for the brake job, open the bleeder screw with a hose attached and expell the fluid as you retract the caliper piston. This prevents overfilling the master cylinder, and forcing contaminants back through the ABS modulator. Pump up the pedal and top up the fluid when the pads are replaced.

 

. . . and evacuate the master cylinder reservoir with a turkey baster, or something simuliar, and refill with fresh fluid to prevent having to pump all the old stuff through the system.

 

Thanks for proofing my answer, it was intended for the question that was asked.

 

In my experience, anytime you open the bleeder screw you take the chance of introducing air into the caliper piston assembly, and this will make your pedal spongy. Even if you connect a hose, the hose needs to be completely filled with fluid - devoid of air. It is unsafe to have air in your brake lines. It is very important that you don't introduce air into your brake lines (you should remove it by bleeding the system).

You can buy an inexpensive "one man" brake bleeding tool, which is a hand held vacuum device that will "suck" the brake bluid out without depressing the pedal.

This is the way I do it if I don't plan on bleeding the system. I get a glass jar and pour about an inch of brake fluid in the bottom. I connect a hose that fits snuggly to the nipple of the bleeder screw. Put the other end of the hose in the brake fluid in the jar - ensure the end of the hose is submerged in the fluid. Put pressure on the pistons with the C Clamp, and then open the bleeder screw and close it quickly. This will allow the fluid to escape from the calliper into the hose. Repeat this procedure until the pistons are pushed back in - seated fully.

By submerging the hose in the fluid, and if you don't get the bleeder screw closed quickly enough, you won't suck air back into the caliper when the presure "reflexes". When the pressure reflexes and pulls back it will suck fluid instead of air.

If you plan on bleeding the system after you do the brakes, then don't worry about the air, since you will be removing all the air from the lines when you bleed the system.

 

I think they all answered your question with concerns about pumping crud from the caliper back up into the system..But no..it will not hurt anything per say as far as the funtion of the ABS...But Like the other guys here are saying,I would get all the old fluid out, since it's probably the original ...Brake Fluid unless it is DOT 4 or 5 (synthetic), will attract and absorb moisture...The calipers are the lowest point in the braking system and naturally the place where most the crud and contaminations will settle to.

 

I don't know what exactly the type the XKR uses..I'm sure a dealer's parts deptcan tell you...But yes, at 70K miles, the original fluid is pretty funky...I purge mine completely everytime I do a Brake job...There is also a specific pattern you should use to bleed the brakes system....The X type is like this...

 

Not a problem..let us know how it goes..

 

Thank you rscultho for correcting my obvious and blatant bodgering. Today I'll be on the phone contacting the thousands of Jaguarcustomers for whom I have replaced brake pads during the last 30 years to offer them a free brake system bleed. It shouldn't be too much work, as I'm sure many have long since sold their cars...and of course there is likely to be some attrition from all the cars that surely must have been wrecked by my reckless and incomplete workmanship.

 

Whoa!!! It "sounds" like you may have concluded or misunderstood something...I was not and never would indict anything you or anyone else has said on this board. All I was trying to do was contribute. I did not say you did anything wrong nor would ever make such a claim, and I did not make that claim in my post.

I apologize to you if I "said" something that offended you. Again, I was just trying to contribute to the thread, and that is all I will ever try to do with any post. I respect everyone's opinion.

With that being said, how in the world did you take what I said as an indictment of what you posted??????

Sir - I have done brakes for over 20 years myself, on many different cars. As I stated in my post, it's easy to get air in the lines when you open the the nipple on the caliper. And I don't think I am wrong by saying that getting air in your brake lines is not a safe thing - do you not agree with this???

I can only conclude that you have worked on autombiles, and more specifically Jaguars, for quite some time. I am sure you are proud of the time you have spent in your profession and the experience and wisdom you have gleemed while doing so.

Let me also say that I have been in my "official" career field since 1982, including 6 years on a nuclear submarine. And, even after my 26+ years of work in my Information Technology field, I am still learning from many people. The worst thing that can happen in my field of work is to become arrogant or insecure and perceive comments from others as denegrating or disrespectful BEFORE examing the situation and the comments.

Beyond this, if you still feel I was attacking you specifically, then I don't know what else to say to you. I wil continue to ask for others help with things about my XKR, and will offer any knowledge I might have.

 

I was in from 1982 - 1988. I did basic in Orlando, "C" school (for Nav ET) in Great Lakes and Sub school in New London. I was in Great Lakes last part of 82 and first part of 83, then went to New London. I was on the USS Seahorse, SSN-669. It has since been decommisioned and cut up for scrap...

What a small world! send me an email to rodney@rsculthorpe.com.

 

Hey a couple of fellow squids...

A6 Intruder squardron attached to the USS America CVA 66...73 to 79

Boot camp in Orlando, A and C school in Memphis

 

CB00JAGUAR - do you have your bluenose card? I still have mine...

Dennis - replied to your PM...

Well, looks like Navy men like Jags!!!

(a few at least...)

 

I forgot about the Shellback cruises

 

You go through the blue nose ceremony when you cross teh artic circle.

I have circumnavigated the world in less than 3 seconds - stood on the geographic north pole and turned arouund.

I have also plotted a solution for a Russian Alpha class submarine (actually several). I manned the geoplot during general quarters. Sometimes the CO took my solution over the one generated by fire control.

The movie, The Hunt for Red October - I did all that stuff.

I am sure we all have some good memories. I think if I had been a little more mature I would have been better at it. But, that was then...

We put our time in and did our bit for king and country.

Thanks for your service.