Falcon (XK-XP)

1960-1966 / Sedan / Convertible / Estate / Australia

All Falcon (XK-XP) problems All workshop issues

Critical Brakes

Leaking Wheel Cylinders

Symptoms

Soft or sinking brake pedal. Reduced braking effectiveness. Brake fluid visible on the inside of the drums.

Cause

The rubber seals in the wheel cylinders harden, crack, and leak with age. This is universal on cars with drum brakes that are more than a few decades old.

Fix

Replace all four wheel cylinders.

If one has failed, the others are close behind.

Wheel cylinders are still available ($40-70 each).

Flush the entire brake system with fresh DOT 3 fluid.

Budget $300-500 for a complete wheel cylinder replacement and system flush.

Cost mentioned in fix

$40-70 eachBudget $300-500 for a

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// More Falcon (XK-XP) problems

Other known issues

Minor Brakes

Drum Brake Fade

Braking effectiveness decreases during sustained use, descending hills, or repeated stops in traffic. The pedal feels firm but the car doesn't slow down adequately.

Critical Rust (The Big One)

Floor Pan Corrosion

Visible rust perforation on the underside of the floor. Soft, spongy metal when prodded. In severe cases, daylight visible through the cabin floor.

Critical Rust (The Big One)

Sill (Rocker Panel) Rot

Bubbling paint along the lower body sides, soft metal when prodded, visible perforation.

Common Rust (The Big One)

Boot Floor and Spare Tyre Well

Rust in the boot floor, water pooling in the spare tyre well, perforation around the tail-light mounting points.

Common Rust (The Big One)

Lower Quarter Panels

Bubbling, blistering, or perforation on the lower rear quarter panels behind the rear wheels.

Critical Engine: 144ci and 170ci Inline-Six

Cooling System Inadequacy

Temperature gauge climbs in slow traffic, on hot days, or when towing. The engine may boil over, pushing coolant out of the overflow.

View all 18 Falcon (XK-XP) problems