Does anyone know if the splined wire wheel hubs from an XKE can be mated to the IRS Posi-loc rear end from an XJS or XJ12? Interested in an IRS rear end with wire wheels, but E Type axles are hard to come by...

Submitted by NE52-32043 on Fri, 06/20/2008 - 16:09

I was just at a Jaguar car show this past weekend, and saw an '85 XJS with Dayton bolt-on wire wheels. They looked outstanding! And until you get very close and examine them, you can't tell that they are bolt-ons. IMHO, this is a much better alternative than changing the hubs. That way, you can aways go back to stock wheels if you ever want to, and the cost of the bolt-on wires will be about the same as a set of wire wheels with XKE hubs, plus you save the cost/problems attendant to changing the hubs.

Just a thought....
Steve

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Fri, 06/20/2008 - 01:48

It is somewhat difficult! And of course quite costly. You need to exchange the hubs complete and so you will need to replace the bearings. The rear hub bearings are a little tricky to preset and require a special tool, a selection of shims and a Dial test gauge. Providing you can get a workshop manual it can be done. Check a local supplier who may rent the tool and supply the shims Or, ask the seller of the hub kits.

Submitted by Jazguy@nc.rr.com on Thu, 06/19/2008 - 12:41

Excellent! Is this is a difficult process, or as straightforward as removing the bolt pattern hub and replacing with splined hub? I know there are "bolt on" wire wheel adapters, but for my application, I need to keep the width of the read end to a minimum.