The parking brake pads on a Jaguar E-Type are located inside the rear subframe and work on top of the discs. While this makes access difficult, it is quite possible to change the brake pads without removing the subframe, saving a considerable amount of time and money if you know how. Most of the work is relatively straightforward and the only part where access might make things difficult is the retractor plate assembly designed to separate the calipers when the brakes are released. This too can be achieved without too much effort with the right approach. These instructions apply to all 6-cylinder models equipped with self-adjusting parking brakes, which are all but early models. They are a supplement to the instructions in the Jaguar Workshop Manual.
The image shows the front side of the subframe with a rear foot brake caliper in the middle and the front of the differential case in the background on the bottom left. The parking brake calipers are attached to the foot brake calipers by means of two pivot bolts. These bolts also hold the retractor plate in position with its two teeth reaching into the two caliper halves.
The process is the following:
1. Remove the split pin and clevis pin attaching the operating lever to the parking brake linkage.
2. Bend down the locking tabs and remove the 7/16″ pivot bolts, locking tab and retractor plate.
3. Push the caliper over the top of the disc towards the rear of the car. The caliper can be removed from the subframe through the central opening at the rear of the subframe.
4. Loosen the 5/16″ nuts that hold the pads to the carriers – there is enough space between the reinforcing ribs to turn a 12 point ring wrench. In the unlikely event that the clamp bolts are not quite rusted, you can slide them off the old pads with the help of a few punches. You are more likely to be completely removing the bolts and replacing them at the same time.
5. Fit the new pads taking care to mount them the correct way around: triangular edge facing up and chamfer towards the set screw that joins the two caliper halves.
6. You will now notice that there is not enough clearance between the pads for the disc and you will need to reset the auto adjust mechanism. Simply hold one half of the caliper and turn the other halves counter-clockwise to unscrew the adjuster until the inner faces of the pads are 12mm apart.
7. You are now ready to reinsert the forceps. Push them in and around the top of the puck the way they came out.
8. Align the retractor plate with the two mounting holes, position the locking tab on top, and insert the pivot bolts into the holes, hoping to find the holes in the parking brake calipers with a little judicious movement. Squeeze them gently, but not all the way, as you will probably pull them back out.
9. This is where the problem occurs. In all likelihood, the teeth of the retractor plate will not line up with the holes in the top of the forceps. If the subframe is outside of the car this is not a problem, but with the subframe on there is no way you can get anything in there to bend the tines into the holes. But don’t despair. Get an inspection mirror like the one dentists use and look closely to see which way each tooth comes out and how far. Take note of this, unscrew the pivot bolts and remove the retractor plate. Bend the teeth according to your estimates, and then reinsert them. You may have to do this a few times, but once you get it right, you’ll be able to reach the teeth with a screwdriver and push them into the holes.
10. You can now properly tighten the pivot bolts and push up on the locking tabs.
11. Pull the operating lever repeatedly until the ratchet on the self-adjusting mechanism stops clicking.
12. Replace the clevis pin that attaches the operating lever to the parking brake linkage and install a new cotter pin.
13. Adjust parking brake per manual as needed.
