IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
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Topic author - Posts: 25
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- Location: Chichester, W Sussex
#1 IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
I have a 1970 S2 2+2 which has a failed rear damper which is leaking and a garage has told me needs to be replaced - and whilst I was hoping to avoid expense for a few years (engine rebuild last year) I think this could be the right time to get the IRS overhauled properly, new mounts, diff overhaul etc as the whole front end, suspension etc was updated with the engine work.
I am not able to do this myself, as I do not have the expertise, but could possible do so alongside someone else.
So, I noticed a couple of IRS rebuild options online, from Rushton engineering and Exeter engineering for example, suggesting costs of circa £4,000 for full overhaul and rebuild. This is for palletised collection and delivery. I have yet to ask them the extra cost to remove and refit if I were to take the car to them.
I already have ventilated discs at the rear from previous owner, so hopefully new pads for these are still available.
Can anyone give me advice on whether this sum of money seems reasonable for this sort of work, do you think labour to fit and remove will add to this significantly?
And if anyone has a suggestion of somewhere else to get this job done then I welcome any recommendations please. It is not urgent, anytime now till Spring, I suppose, I am in Chichester, West Sussex and could easily travelfor a few hours in any direction.
Finally, as a different question - if the whole IRS becomes a too-expensive-for now job, am I correct thinking that I could just change the leaking damper? Presumably all four should be changed at once (and then could be re-used n future IRS overhaul) - or - is the damper job something that will be labour intensive making it more cost effective to address along wth the whole IRS.
Thanks in advance…
I am not able to do this myself, as I do not have the expertise, but could possible do so alongside someone else.
So, I noticed a couple of IRS rebuild options online, from Rushton engineering and Exeter engineering for example, suggesting costs of circa £4,000 for full overhaul and rebuild. This is for palletised collection and delivery. I have yet to ask them the extra cost to remove and refit if I were to take the car to them.
I already have ventilated discs at the rear from previous owner, so hopefully new pads for these are still available.
Can anyone give me advice on whether this sum of money seems reasonable for this sort of work, do you think labour to fit and remove will add to this significantly?
And if anyone has a suggestion of somewhere else to get this job done then I welcome any recommendations please. It is not urgent, anytime now till Spring, I suppose, I am in Chichester, West Sussex and could easily travelfor a few hours in any direction.
Finally, as a different question - if the whole IRS becomes a too-expensive-for now job, am I correct thinking that I could just change the leaking damper? Presumably all four should be changed at once (and then could be re-used n future IRS overhaul) - or - is the damper job something that will be labour intensive making it more cost effective to address along wth the whole IRS.
Thanks in advance…
Kevin
1970 S2 2+2 Manual
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#2 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
You can remove the coil over assemblies individually, or as a set without having to remove the IRS (assuming the upper bolts are put in from the correct side). To replace just the dampers, you’ll need to separate them from the coil springs after removing the complete coil over assemblies from the car. This is tricky as regular spring compressors don’t fit well. However if you take the whole units and new dampers to a motorbike mechanic or Jag specialist mechanic they’ll be able to swap the springs over onto the new dampers.
It’s best practice to replace dampers as an axle set. If one’s leaking the others won’t be far behind.
It’s best practice to replace dampers as an axle set. If one’s leaking the others won’t be far behind.
Tom
1970 S2 FHC
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#3 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
SNG are now selling the complete units. I’d go for 4 of these (we fit them all the time)
Angus 67 FHC 1E33656
61 OTS 875047
61 OTS 875047
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Topic author - Posts: 25
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- Location: Chichester, W Sussex
#4 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
Thank you, sounds as though 4 dampers might be a good place to start
But I would still welcome any advice on where to go for IRS rebuild as and when necessary if anyone has any recommendations (and price guidance)
Many thanks
Kevin
But I would still welcome any advice on where to go for IRS rebuild as and when necessary if anyone has any recommendations (and price guidance)
Many thanks
Kevin
Kevin
1970 S2 2+2 Manual
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#5 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
Hi Kevin...re cost....very much depends what you have done...full strip...every thing powder coated...diff rebuilt...new discs...etc......personally i would work out what i want done then get quotes....I wouldnt ship the IRS to be refurbed......In your position i would drive the car in......have the job done and drive out......this would be a good place to start.....https://etypeuk.com/services-by-e-type- ... d-service/ one thing to remember is that not all builders use the best quality parts, bearings/seals etc....this can be a big difference in parts cost.....personaly when i rebuild i use the best parts available......so check with your builder what they will use. .....Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc
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#6 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
Does Alan Slawson offer a complete rebuild service? Might be worth contacting him, lots of references to him on here.
Geoff
Geoff
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration
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#7 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
Hi Geoff....sounds like Kevin needs someone to remove the IRS.....dont think Alan does that....Steve
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc
69 S2 2+2 (just sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc
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#8 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
Steve, you’re correct, but if he can get someone to take the irs out then Alan could be a very good solution for his problems.
Cheers
Geoff
Cheers
Geoff
S2 FHC Light Blue
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Topic author - Posts: 25
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#9 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
Thanks all
I was thinking do it properly and do it once, so full strip, new perishables, powder coat etc. Possibly my discs and callipers can be reused but I know from having the front done how it can be hard finding parts for previously replaced old items, making it cheaper to possibly just get new components.
Currently torn between an immediate replacement of four shocks/springs and deferring the cost of the rest, while another part of me says if this expense is needed within a couple of years then why not get it all sorted now and enjoy the benefits. I am assuming a good overhaul would replace parts which then should last a good few years?
I guess I could find someone to help/supervise getting it removed with me if that seemed the way to go.
I appreciate the suggestions so far, thank you
Kevin
I was thinking do it properly and do it once, so full strip, new perishables, powder coat etc. Possibly my discs and callipers can be reused but I know from having the front done how it can be hard finding parts for previously replaced old items, making it cheaper to possibly just get new components.
Currently torn between an immediate replacement of four shocks/springs and deferring the cost of the rest, while another part of me says if this expense is needed within a couple of years then why not get it all sorted now and enjoy the benefits. I am assuming a good overhaul would replace parts which then should last a good few years?
I guess I could find someone to help/supervise getting it removed with me if that seemed the way to go.
I appreciate the suggestions so far, thank you
Kevin
Last edited by kevhillyer on Sat Nov 27, 2021 10:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
Kevin
1970 S2 2+2 Manual
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#10 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
That is an entirely reasonable amount to pay.kevhillyer wrote: ↑Fri Nov 26, 2021 4:17 pm£4,000 for full overhaul and rebuild. This is for palletised collection and delivery. I have yet to ask them the extra cost to remove and refit if I were to take the car to them.
R&R is only a couple of hours work on top.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
Adelaide, Australia
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
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#11 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
I’ve done two of these myself …very easy for the amateur and great fun
The only bit I didn’t do was the diff rebuild itself which cost £700
Robbie
The only bit I didn’t do was the diff rebuild itself which cost £700
Robbie
Robbie 1962 3.8 Coupe OSG 1962 OTS ODG
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Topic author - Posts: 25
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#12 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
Thanks for info so far....reassuring R&R costs not too much more on top. I am hoping someone might be able to recommend a refurbishment option but if not will start phoning around next week
Kevin
1970 S2 2+2 Manual
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#13 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
Hi Kevin,
I have not used this garage but they were recommended to me when I started my Etype rebuild project (for if I got stuck or gave up). They’re in Portsmouth.
https://www.classicsbyjswl.co.uk/
I’m currently restoring my IRS at the moment and doing a vented disc conversion. I’m the best part of £1500 for parts, paint and plating. £550 of that was for the shocks alone, which are also on a 8 week lead time at the moment, £200 for the disc conversion too. FYI - Shims for the diff output bearings from SNG are on back order too, due in Jan, but I made some at work.
The refurbishment is actually a very easy job to do, it just takes a lot of time. The endless amounts of cleaning is the worst part! Factor in a rear brake bleeding kit and see if your if prop shaft needs work too - UJs for mine were less than £30 but the tiny rubber dust boot was eye watering for what it is!
Richard
I have not used this garage but they were recommended to me when I started my Etype rebuild project (for if I got stuck or gave up). They’re in Portsmouth.
https://www.classicsbyjswl.co.uk/
I’m currently restoring my IRS at the moment and doing a vented disc conversion. I’m the best part of £1500 for parts, paint and plating. £550 of that was for the shocks alone, which are also on a 8 week lead time at the moment, £200 for the disc conversion too. FYI - Shims for the diff output bearings from SNG are on back order too, due in Jan, but I made some at work.
The refurbishment is actually a very easy job to do, it just takes a lot of time. The endless amounts of cleaning is the worst part! Factor in a rear brake bleeding kit and see if your if prop shaft needs work too - UJs for mine were less than £30 but the tiny rubber dust boot was eye watering for what it is!
Richard
Richard. UK RHD 1970 S2 2+2 Auto.
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#14 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
Phil
1964 S1 3.8 OTS
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Topic author - Posts: 25
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#15 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
Thanks for the latest recommendations, I have a list of people to call and now I have more of an idea about some of the questions to be asked as well.
JSWL are nearby so that could well be really helpful
Many thanks
JSWL are nearby so that could well be really helpful
Many thanks
Kevin
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#16 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
Hi Kevin
You might want to try Keith at K & N Classics in Bosham. Can't recommend him highly enough.
Always busy which is a good sign!
Ian
You might want to try Keith at K & N Classics in Bosham. Can't recommend him highly enough.
Always busy which is a good sign!
Ian
Ian Cooke
1969 S2 FHC in Old English White
1969 S2 FHC in Old English White
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#17 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
Why bother if it doesn't need any immediate attention? Yes, it needs new dampers and possibly springs but that is a relatively quick and easy job taking a couple of hours. A full IRS and final drive rebuild is a wholly different proposition. Even replacing the mounts and radius arm bushes is relatively straightforward.
If you're concerned, have it assessed by someone that knows what they're looking at but if it ain't broke, don't fix it. It's a wonderfully over-engineered piece of equipment and you risk replacing perfectly good, serviceable original parts with second rate aftermarket parts.
Unless, of course, you particularly want to have it made all shiny and new looking.
Regards
If you're concerned, have it assessed by someone that knows what they're looking at but if it ain't broke, don't fix it. It's a wonderfully over-engineered piece of equipment and you risk replacing perfectly good, serviceable original parts with second rate aftermarket parts.
Unless, of course, you particularly want to have it made all shiny and new looking.
Regards
Stuart
If you can't make it work, make it complicated!
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If you can't make it work, make it complicated!
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Topic author - Posts: 25
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#18 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?
Bosham is local - I have experienced some previously unheard clunks and vibration from the rear on journeys since this damper started leaking - There is no sign of recent work in this area and I suppose I was assuming lots of rubber parts might be long past their best, however, having it assessed before biting the bullet on such a large bill is sensible. My logic to now said that if an overhaul of IRS will be needed within say 5 years, why not do it now ad fully reap the benefits.
Thank you all for the suggestions
Thank you all for the suggestions
Kevin
1970 S2 2+2 Manual
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