BRAKE CHECKS
32 BRAKE SLIDER BOLTS
With one of the front wheels removed, prise off the spring clip fitted against the rear of the outer brake pad, extract two dust covers at the back of the caliper, then undo two 9mm Allen key slider bolts. These can be awkward to extract.
33 EXTRACT FRONT PADS
Prise off the brake caliper and suspend it aside with a metal hook. Extract the brake pads. On the nearside front, the inner brake pad has a wear sensor and wiring attached to it, so detach these. Check the thickness of the pads and clean them if there’s more than 3mm of friction material remaining; otherwise, renew them (both sides).
BRAKE CHECKS
34 CLEAN CALIPER
Clean inside the caliper and carrier, apply a smear of brake grease (not copper grease) to the top and bottom edges of the brake pads, then refit them, followed by the caliper. Reattach the brake pad wear sensor (NSF). Tighten the slider bolts to 28Nm for 326mm discs or 58Nm for 355mm discs.
35 REAR SERVICE MODE
Before any work can be conducted on the rear brakes, the electronic park brake must be put into ‘service’ mode. This must be completed using diagnostic equipment to avoid damaging any parts on the XF by activating the handbrake when working on the rear brakes.
36 REAR DIFFERENCES
The XF’S rear brakes are similar to the fronts. There’s a smaller spring clip fitted for each outer brake pad. The slider bolts require a 7mm Allen key to undo them and there’s a wear sensor on the offside rear.
37 BRAKE DISC RENEWAL
If a brake disc has to be renewed, the caliper carrier has to be removed first. This is secured with two 15mm bolts, which are tightened to 115-135Nm. The old brake disc may require a few taps with a hammer to release it – they are prone to getting stuck, especially on early XFS.
38 RETRACTING A PISTON
If new brake pads or new discs and pads are fitted, the piston inside the caliper will need to be retracted. Check the level in the brake fluid reservoir to ensure it won’t spill over. On the rear, a windback tool is required, whereas on the front the piston can be pushed in with a G-clamp.
39 RENEWING BRAKE FLUID
If the brake fluid needs to be renewed (it was tested in Step 4), there’s a bleed nipple on each brake caliper. Start at the NSR, followed by the OSR, then the NSF and finally the OSF. Keep the fluid topped up in the reservoir.