britishwardog
Active Member
Where are you based?, if you're near enough take the car to Ken at Bell engineering, they will supply and fit a recon IRD and VCU with prior arrangement of course, can't recommend them enough.
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
Everything is relative - when my IRD went the cost of parts only over here for new IRD & VCU was $7,500 - that's almost 4,000 quid! No recon parts over here and shipping a 1 off IRD is prohibitive.
You may be able to do what I did and get an IRD rebuild kit (bearings, seals & oil cooler) and get a local gearbox/diff shop to fit the parts. I had to hunt around because some shops wouldn't do it - they wanted to strip and diagnose the faults/fix themselves - which I concluded was going to knock the $s up again. You could get them to fit the recon VCU at the same time.
I found my rebuild kit on ebay but ordered directly. Its been running for 6 months now without problems. I had the gearbox shop remove the pinion (or crown) gear in the IRD so an running 2WD with the props/VCU in place. You may need replacement crown/pinion gear for a 4WD rebuild - once again on ebay.
You may be able to do what I did and get an IRD rebuild kit (bearings, seals & oil cooler) and get a local gearbox/diff shop to fit the parts. I had to hunt around because some shops wouldn't do it - they wanted to strip and diagnose the faults/fix themselves - which I concluded was going to knock the $s up again. You could get them to fit the recon VCU at the same time.
I found my rebuild kit on ebay but ordered directly. Its been running for 6 months now without problems. I had the gearbox shop remove the pinion (or crown) gear in the IRD so an running 2WD with the props/VCU in place. You may need replacement crown/pinion gear for a 4WD rebuild - once again on ebay.
Kizzeh
Well-Known Member
Try asking more! Bell engineering are one of, if not the best place to go to reconditioned parts. Very friendly and helpful. A lot of places will fit parts if they are supplied but won't guarantee the work. I would understand not wanting to fit 2nd hand but I see no problem with recon.
RealBeale
Active Member
My mate Matt in Cannock will supply and fit of a good quality used unit, driven and inspected internally and with a short warranty, fresh oil etc for about £350.Yes, supplied and fitted. Yes they are used units but anything showing even slight damage or unacceptable wear is instantly rejected. Most garages would charge that just for fitting. If you are on a tight budget I would recommend him no question.
ZDomZ
New Member
That's a good price. I have seen 2 nd hand irds for nearly that price. And you still gotta fit em!
I paid £150 for my 2nd hand one from my mates scrapyard, I fitted it myself but if I was doing the job for a mate (homework) I would be asking for at least £100. If I was still spannering for a living I should think we would have charged £200 to fit it. (That's a 6 year old price from a small garage)
I phoned loads either they didn't want to take on the job or wouldn't touch it with 2nd hand parts in case it broke in a few weeks they didn't want to damage there rep.
GrumpyGel
Well-Known Member
I had my IRD reconditioned at the gearbox shop - which basically meant they fitted the new bearings etc. But I did the job of getting it off and putting it back on the car. I'm no mechanic, but actually found it quite an easy job - it just bolts on - no special tools required, all I needed was my standard socket set and a couple of extension bars for it at different lengths. Its quite heavy, so the Mrs pumped the jack to lift it while I manouvered it into position and bolted it up. I am lucky though in having an inspection pit - if I'd only had ramps & axle stands it would have bee a LOT more difficult. I paid about 130 quid for the repair kit and 250 quid for the reconditioning labour. As I say, I put it back 2WD, so reinstalled the props with the same VCU. To go 4WD would have needed replacement crown/pinion gears (about 160 quid on eBay if I remember right) and a recon VCU - but they're expensive to ship down here.. So its worth having a go yourself - especially if you have access to an inspection pit.
