IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Technical advice Q&A

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kevhillyer
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#1 IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by kevhillyer » Fri Nov 26, 2021 4:17 pm

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…
Kevin

1970 S2 2+2 Manual

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Tom W
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#2 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by Tom W » Fri Nov 26, 2021 5:57 pm

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.
Tom
1970 S2 FHC

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1954Etype
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#3 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by 1954Etype » Fri Nov 26, 2021 5:59 pm

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

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kevhillyer
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#4 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by kevhillyer » Fri Nov 26, 2021 6:38 pm

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
Kevin

1970 S2 2+2 Manual

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mgcjag
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#5 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by mgcjag » Fri Nov 26, 2021 7:16 pm

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

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#6 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by Gfhug » Fri Nov 26, 2021 8:08 pm

Does Alan Slawson offer a complete rebuild service? Might be worth contacting him, lots of references to him on here.

Geoff
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S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration

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mgcjag
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#7 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by mgcjag » Fri Nov 26, 2021 8:21 pm

Hi Geoff....sounds like Kevin needs someone to remove the IRS.....dont think Alan does that....Steve
Steve
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Gfhug
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#8 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by Gfhug » Fri Nov 26, 2021 8:42 pm

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
S2 FHC Light Blue
S2 OTS LHD - RHD full restoration

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kevhillyer
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#9 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by kevhillyer » Fri Nov 26, 2021 11:24 pm

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
Last edited by kevhillyer on Sat Nov 27, 2021 10:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
Kevin

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abowie
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#10 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by abowie » Sat Nov 27, 2021 2:56 am

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.
That is an entirely reasonable amount to pay.

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
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Robbiee
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#11 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by Robbiee » Sat Nov 27, 2021 7:59 am

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
Robbie 1962 3.8 Coupe OSG 1962 OTS ODG

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kevhillyer
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#12 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by kevhillyer » Sat Nov 27, 2021 10:15 am

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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Rich70
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#13 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by Rich70 » Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:54 am

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
Richard. UK RHD 1970 S2 2+2 Auto.

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Philk
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#14 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by Philk » Sun Nov 28, 2021 12:12 pm

I can 100% recommend Southern Classics in Twickenham. They did my IRS back in 2019.

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Phil
1964 S1 3.8 OTS

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kevhillyer
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#15 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by kevhillyer » Sun Nov 28, 2021 3:26 pm

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
Kevin

1970 S2 2+2 Manual

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Ian Cooke
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#16 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by Ian Cooke » Mon Nov 29, 2021 8:11 pm

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
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Series1 Stu
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#17 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by Series1 Stu » Mon Nov 29, 2021 9:51 pm

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
Stuart

If you can't make it work, make it complicated!

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Topic author
kevhillyer
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#18 Re: IRS rebuild required, can anyone recommend a UK specialist in south of England?

Post by kevhillyer » Thu Dec 02, 2021 12:05 pm

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
Kevin

1970 S2 2+2 Manual

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