Rear axle refurb.

[greensimonc]

Hi,

I'm on the cusp of having the rear axle of my Series 1 2+2 dropped and refurbished. There's lots of interesting bits on the net and videos on YouTube, and of course obvious things to renew such as disks, pads, seals, rubber mounts and whatever else gets found, but I wondered if there's a concise list anywhere of what to look out for and address?

I've tried searching and looked for any Technical Articles but couldn't locate what I'm after.....can anybody point me in the right direction?

Cheers, Simon.

[oldtimer]

Simon,
Your thread above seems to indicate that you will be contracting this job out, if so I don't quite understand why you require technical information. Hopefully the contractor involved is well versed with what is required !

[greensimonc]

Hi, yes you're right. It's a local place where I've had lots of work done, and I do trust them and I'm sure they'll do a good job, but they're not specific Jag restorers. On the other hand, I don't just want to hand the car over without having the background knowledge of what should be done.

I'd love to do the job myself, but I don't have the facilities at home. So it's a bit of education I'm after, that's all.

Cheers, S.

[poprivet]

The Jaguar World 6 Cylinder Engine Overhaul book contains a very detailed section on IRS overhaul. ISBN 1 873098 32 4 I found it useful when I overhauled my rear calipers.

[greensimonc]

Cheers Pop!

S.

[stuarthardy]

Hi Simon

I attended an IRS seminar several years ago, hosted by David Marks. It was very informative and well presented. Included was a comprehensive list of wear items that would best be replaced if you're going to the trouble of a tear down. It even included prices (current at the time of the seminar). Unfortunately, I can't find my copy but perhaps this will jog someone else's memory who will then lay hands on one.

Also, the Jaguar workshop manual is a good source of such information.

It is vital that the people rebuilding the suspension get the correct amount of pre-load on the wishbone bearings and it is a fairly exacting exercise. Make sure you get a good selection of the range of shim thicknesses so that you're not left high and dry part way through the re-build.

Regards
Stuart

[greensimonc]

Stuart....that is exactly the sort of thing I was after, thanks very much indeed!

Cheers, Simon.

[oldtimer]

Simon,
The complete overhaul of the rear suspension is a nice job for somebody that knows his business but reading this thread makes me very nervous for you.

It appears you are doing the research for your contractor which does not seem quite right to me.
I would hope that everything will be attended to whilst this lump is removed which should include:-
Remove all components and shot blast and repaint the sub frame.
Open up the diff examine and replace as necessary paying attention to the Thornton Power Lock
Strip and reseal calipers , hand brake and operating mechanism
Examine drive shafts and Hardy Spicer UJ's
Replace rear discs
Rebuild hubs
8 New bearings in the diff and four in the hubs
Set preloads in the diff and end float in the hubs

And so it goes on - If you want a professional job to be done please take the greatest care as to who you select to do it. It's not a job for the willing amateur.

Do keep us up to date with your progress

Oldtimer

[greensimonc]

Hi Oldtimer,

Thanks very much for your concern and advice, which is very welcome! Perhaps I've inadvertently raised a few flags...and I understand why and appreciate the responses.

My local place's bread and butter is tuning, but they're long established and have a wide variety of experience with all types of vehicles including classics. As I said, they are not specific Jag specialists but I do have faith, otherwise I'd be looking elsewhere. My quest began so that I could feel I could have an informed conversation with them about all the things that needed to be done, and be able to understand when they call me to say..."we've found this.....". (And of course to make sure what needs to be done is in fact being done, for my peace of mind - whoever's doing work, you need to know don't you?).

T'will be a winter project, not yet scheduled, but when done I'll be sure to let you know the results!

Cheers, Simon.

[oldtimer]

Simon,
Pleased to read your note.

If you want to obtain a clear understanding of the work to be undertaken I can only suggest you obtain a genuine Jaguar repair and overhaul manual.

The independent rear suspension used in your E type is common across several Jaguar models
i.e. Mk 10 , 420 G , 420 , early S type and XJ6 , XJ12.

For your purposes any one of the above manuals will provide all the information you require. The main differences are in the track, therefore things like the drive shaft lengths differ, can't remember other differences, oh yes springs and shocks vary

Do have a good read and best of luck - you can always come back when the time comes

Oldtimer

[stuarthardy]

Hi Simon

I've found my copy. PM me with your email address and I'll scan and forward to you.

Cheers

[greensimonc]

Hi all,

I thought all you lot who were kind enough to give me lots of good advice would like an update!

After buying the book and pouring through the info that Stuart sent me (thanks again) and to be honest, an apparent lack of interest from my local place, I decided to have a proper job done, so took the car to EType UK, near Tonbridge.

Very nice and knowledgeable people who would happily have relieved me of £6k for a full refurb! However, talking everything through we agreed on them doing the necessary bits for about a third of that. It was not before time too as when up on the ramp, brake fluid was dripping, and it could be seen that the pistons were completely seized!

So, the job consisted of: refurbed calliper and pistons, new discs, pads, sorted handbrake, second hand pair of radius arms, set of shocks, overhauled output shaft assembly, seals, drop link bushes and some nice clean oil in the diff! Cracking job, very pleased and I highly recommend them.

Also pleasingly, the car looked pretty good underneath with no sign of corrosion. It's also rather nice to have some rear braking again!

So, thanks again, I have lived and learned! And spent......

Cheers, Simon.