The 'E' Type Forum

I’m overhauling my front end of the E type this winter - cooling, steering and replacing suspension bushing - and as usual it’s already become a case of “shipwrights disease”, as I start to look at other front end items I could also refresh.
I have Coopercraft Vented front brakes, which I know I fitted Ferodo 522 brake pads in 2005, which my notes say are the same as XJ6 front brake pads. I don’t necessarily need to change the front vented discs - that old “shipwrights disease” is starting to kick in - but for my records, can anyone confirm what front vented disc brake were used on the Coopercraft vented brake kit ?
I also have a note in my records that one time at a Stoneleigh Spares Day, when Coopercraft were then trading, I went to the Coopercraft stand and explained that I had experienced problems fitting my new pads into the Coopercraft brake caliper. They said that on early kits, (circa 1999), that the discs they supplied were too wide. They said that they should have been 21mm wide, but on checking, my discs are nearer 22mm. The Coopercraft front brakes were on the car when I bought it and I found that the previous owner had troubles initially fitting either brake pad, so he had some 1.5mm spacers made to move the caliper over, so at least he could fit the inner pad and milled the outer one down in order to fit it. I removed the spacers so the caliper is now equally spaced on the disc, but although I managed to get the inner pad in - which was very tight - I had to sand the outer pad to get that one in.
If anyone has fitted new vented front discs to their Coopercraft front brakes, I would be grateful for their experiences and what discs they used please ?
Regards,
Dave

Maybe speak Zeus ? I read somewhere that Coopercraft based on the same (or similar) designs.

Tim

I had not realised that Coopercraft had stopped trading. I spoke to Peter in 2024 and he rebuilt my vented front calipers. These were 15-20 years old and some of the dust covers had started to perish so I decided on a full rebuild. He did those in March 2024 and, as he was only an hour away in Sidmouth, I dropped them off and collected later. An easy guy to deal with.

The pads are series 2 E-Type (also series 3 and others, I'm sure). Minimum disc thickness is specified as 20.4 mm. As mine were around 21 mm, I didn't replace them which was probably not the best idea in hindsight. I can't say what the discs are, unfortunately.

If the calipers are off, I fit the pads directly to the calipers and then mount that assembly on the car. I don't know if that might help with your issues but mine went straight on.

Good luck, Chris

Can't tell you what Coopercraft used, but I can tell you what works with the Volvo vented caliper.

Options include TD4 Freelander Landcruiser front discs or rear vented discs from a Mitsubishi 3000GT.

The Landrover disc needs to have the holes redrilled (wrong spacing) and machining to correct diameter. I have done this; they fit.

The Mitsubishi disc needs machining to correct diameter. I have not done this.

Many thanks Tim for your Post #2.
I phoned Zeus Engineering today and spoke to a very helpful Technical lady. She said that Coopercraft based their Jaguar brake systems on their original Zeus designs. She understood that Coopercraft had their ventilated front disc specifically manufactured for them. It is possible there were made for Coopercraft in Cyprus, but unfortunately the gentleman who made them has recently passed away. Zeus had similar requests from existing Coopercraft customers like me asking for help.
The Zeus ventilated front disc is based on a BMW brake disc, but requires machining to fit. She believes there was a video on YouTube at one time showing a BMW brake disc being machined to suit a Jaguar application, but I had a quick search with no luck.
As Coopercraft based their brakes on the Zeus systems, the Zeus ventilated front disc can be used with the Coopercraft caliper, but the difference in design means there is more gap between the caliper and the disc, which I took to mean there that the Zeus disc was not so wide, i.e. under the 22mm Coopercraft disc width. Zeus are willing to supply just the ventilated discs at a current price of £160 plus VAT. They also can supply replacement pistons and seals to fit the Coopercraft calipers, but can offer no warranty as they did not produce the Coopercraft calipers.
The lady also mentioned their sister company of “Ashwater Classics” also based in Devon and this is an engineering and manufacturing company specialising in replacement chromium-plated castings for classic cars. They have an extensive on-line catalogue, which shows the many parts they manufacture for all cars, including many well known replacement parts for the Jaguar E Type, which many of us will recognise being sold by the “usuals”.
A very refreshing discussion with a very well informed lady and hopefully this information will help others with Coopercraft brake systems.
Regards
Dave

Pleased that you’re moving in the right direction if not a full solution.

The only other possibility that I can think of is Adrian at Realm. I know his main business is replicas but he is ( to my knowledge) an old school guy with a wealth of experience.

Steve (MGCJAG) knows him I think.

Tim