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Now I know why rebuilding IRS is $$$$

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Basil

Basil

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Well, I've been working on my IRS for a year now. Have it all powder coated and have it about 60 percent back together. Have the lower wishbones installed with new bearings, seals, ect. Have new u-joints on the half shaft axels, but waiting for my new Cross drilled rotors to arrive b4 I can install the half shafts. What's left: Rebuild and restore the Rear Calipers ($370 at Classic Jags, with Stainless Steel sleaves). Then, just need new shocks (Spax seem to be the best value). Also, I need to clean up and rebuild the hub carriers. When its all done, I will have well over $1000 invested between just the powder coating and new parts. And of I had to pay labor on all of this....yikes!
Here's my IRS parts back from the powder coating:

irs2.jpg


And here is my IRS partly reassembled (I have since also installed the lower wishbones not seen in this picture):
irs5.JPG


[ 12-27-2002: Message edited by: Basil ]</p>
 
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Basil,

Now I remember why I skipped rebuilding the rear suspension of my E Type!!

Nice work, nice pics. What's the status of the front suspension? (I'm about to do mine)

Keep up the good work.

Steve
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[ 12-28-2002: Message edited by: Basil ]</p>
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by regred1:
Basil,

Now I remember why I skipped rebuilding the rear suspension of my E Type!!

Nice work, nice pics. What's the status of the front suspension? (I'm about to do mine)

Keep up the good work.

Steve
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<hr></blockquote>

Front suspension is about 50 percent done. Have all the A-arms detailed and all new ball joints. Also have installed a poly-bushing kit (replaces the stock rubber bushings). I replaced the stock rubber steering rack mounts with solid billet alumnimum mounts. What remains is to get new rotors, have the calipers rebuilt and add shocks. I had anything that was originally black (front anti-sway bar, torsion bars, steering rack housing, etc) all powder coated. So really its just the breaks and shocks I need to complete the front suspension. I intend to get the front all done and sitting one wheels before I try to install the rear IRS.

Basil

[ 12-28-2002: Message edited by: Basil ]

[ 12-29-2002: Message edited by: Basil ]</p>
 
Basil,

"Do you hire out?" and will you commute to Mass. in the Vette??

What do you hear about the poly bushings? I was leaning towards using them, but have a friend who owns a Brit car repair shop in San Diego who swears poly will cause the suspension to squeak until you give up and put the rubber bushes back in.

Did you do the upper a arms in black or silver? I've seen them both ways and for various years. I'm not sure what's correct.

I'm down to upholstery now, and inspired by your irs pic, was thinking I should send you a photo of the bonnet in my living room before I move it. (Where else would you store it?)

Steve
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[ 12-28-2002: Message edited by: Basil ]</p>
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by regred1:
Basil,

"Do you hire out?" and will you commute to Mass. in the Vette??

What do you hear about the poly bushings? I was leaning towards using them, but have a friend who owns a Brit car repair shop in San Diego who swears poly will cause the suspension to squeak until you give up and put the rubber bushes back in.

Did you do the upper a arms in black or silver? I've seen them both ways and for various years. I'm not sure what's correct.

I'm down to upholstery now, and inspired by your irs pic, was thinking I should send you a photo of the bonnet in my living room before I move it. (Where else would you store it?)

Steve
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[ 12-28-2002: Message edited by: Basil ]<hr></blockquote>

Afraid Mass is a little far for me
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The poly bushes will squeek some IF you don't apply the proper silicon lub that comes with them. I have hear that the ride is much firmer with the poly bushes, plus they look killer!
Basil
 
Looks Great!!!
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Do you hire out??
 
Basil,

Inquiring minds want to know: how did you finish upper A arms??

Steve

[ 12-29-2002: Message edited by: Basil ]</p>
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by regred1:
Basil,

Inquiring minds want to know: how did you finish upper A arms??

Steve<hr></blockquote>

By upper A-Arms, you mean on the front suspension? I simply used a wire brush on a drill to clean them up. They were not painted from the factory, so I have not painted them.

Basil
 
*Verrry* nice job! Looks like you're doing it *right*.

Re: poly bushings. The standard rubber bushings are notoriously difficult to remove as they age. Occasionally they have to be drilled or burned (!) out. The poly bushings don't do this...they never seize or get frozen in place. If your car is firm riding (like my Spridget) I'm not sure you'd notice any added harshness....I don't.
 
I think the A arms must have been zinc plated origionally because after I wire brushed mine I started to get surface rust. I used a clear enamel on them but i know that won't last all that long. So far so good. What have others done?
By the way Basil, When the big crate arrives,don't throw it away as you can ship my Completed IRS back in the same box. Just trying to make it easy on you.
Tx Scott
 
I

I have not yet decided what to do with my upper and lower a-arms either. If I buff the original zinc coating then it rusts. I believe I will look into getting them re-coated. Mine were painted black, and I was told they were this way from new. I debated going to solid rack mounts, but was told they transmit alot of vibration to the wheel, so I ordered a pair from SNG Barret that is sort of a compromise between the original rubber mounted mounts and the solid. These mounts use a poly material between the plates instead of rubber. Hope they work ok. An idea I saw on Classic Jaguar is a solid block inside the frame instead of the tube spacers behind the rack mounts. They could be built by the do-it-your selfer from aluminum. Use 6061-t6 aircraft quality material.
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Darrold:
<snip> An idea I saw on Classic Jaguar is a solid block inside the frame instead of the tube spacers behind the rack mounts. They could be built by the do-it-your selfer from aluminum. Use 6061-t6 aircraft quality material.<hr></blockquote>

In fact, I am using the solid rack mounts from Classic Jags - Remains to be seen whether I'll like them (have to get the car running first
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)

Basil
 
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