I've had dozens of XJ's over 32 year period, few had functioning hand brake, after MOT failure, working in the street, I did manage to remove caliper & ratchet on a Series 1, without dropping suspension, the self adjustment mechanism just needed cleaning & greasing, it was easier to replace than remove. As you say in video, it is awkward, but it is preferable to removing suspension cage

Adam, another great video on the and brake! Thank you. To you and your family, God bless and please stay safe! Chris/Colorado Springs USA

Hi Adam, I'm a new subscriber and own a 1989 XJS. Your videos have been both helpful and informative, thank you. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences. Best regards, John

You need a ramp Adam, when adjusting the hand brake start at the calipers, loosen cable then move h/brake caliper levers out to see how much they move, they should self ratchet themselves out but can be gummed up so remove the splitpin in the caliper adjusting pin, with a short screwdriver adjust the pin inwards then replace the splitpin, then adjust cable, done loads of hand brake caliper removals in situ, but you do need a ramp.

I have done o lot of repairs on my xj6 77' with You :)

Useful as always

Thanks Adam. Interesting that the system used on the XJ is the same as on my Mark 2 (at least under the car). There has always been a fallacy that this type of handbrake doesn't work well but, so long as they are correctly set up, in my experience they work fine. The biggest issue I've had over the years has been the handbrake pad material coming off of the backing plate!

Hello just watching your video on adjusting the hand break. On the pictures in the manual you showed. If you look at the right picture. You will notice a hole in the the centre of the caliper. That is a screw adjuster to screw in or out. You don't need to drop the cage to do it. Once you have done that.then you take up the slack on the cable.you do need a small stub screwdriver that fit

Can you do a video on camber adjustment

Adam, I have just dropped the rear suspension on my V12, after struggle, I have filmed it as well as doing a lot of stills so if you would like the use of some of my stuff before I start the real work just let me know; found one of the pads on the offside handbrake was missing BTW.

My XJS parking brake doesn't work either. It got stuck "fully actuated" but I was still able to easily move the vehicle. After being annoyed by the dash light, with some tinkering with the lever I got it unstuck. Still haven't gotten around to fixing it completely.

The handbrake cable must not be tight, it will cause handbrake to bind and wear pads, remove cable at rear on callipers and try to ratchet up , if they won’t remove handbrake callipers ( easy) strip and clean fit new pads, renew retraction forks and lock tabs, and refit(difficult) it is best to set callipers in spare main rear callipers and file pins on retraction forks so they enter drilled holes easier, when fitted ratchet up as tight as possible, even using grips for better leverage, the n refit cable so that it does not pull on callipers levers, it will then work. The square friction spring inside must be a tight fit on the adjusting nut or the nut will not ratchet up properly and callipers will have to be removed again.I worked on these car for over 30 years, I could remove a caliph fit new pads and refit in about 30 minutes, see how long it takes to remove rear suspension ( you need to do this on an E type )

Does anyone make a better aftermarket option for the hand brake?

That is the wrong way to adjust the handbrake. The rear hand brake calipers are adjustable. Remove the hand brake cable, remove the rear wheels and you will be able to see the adjustment screw on the calipers. It has a split pin locking it. Remove it and screw the screw in till the wheel locks then back to release to just release it. Do that on both sides. Replace the split pins. Replace the cable so there is no slack in the cable with no drag on the wheels. You hand brake will work 100 %. Just adjusting the cable will take the levers on the calipers past their centre point of leverage. Past their fulcrum point. The self adjusting pawl on the calipers can be serviced when you drop the rear end.

I bet you’re handbrake pads have fell out ! Just drop the axle ! Give yourself a couple of days to do it ! But the problem is Everyone over Titans the handbrake lock nut ! that bows the back plate on the handbrake pads ! And unsticking them from the pad ! Then they drop out a week later ! DO NOT OVER Tighten the handbrake locking nut !