New: Fitting S2a rear axle on S3?

Hi!
My Series 3 needs the rear axle replaced due to oil leakage and non functional brakes as a result. It's hard to get spares where the vehicle is located but I've found a rear axle from a Series 2a.

Question 1: Can all axle models of the Series 2a be mounted to the Series 3 or would you need the vehicle year and axle manufacturer to know if it it can be replaced?

Question 2: How can you make sure a rear axle taken from another 30 year old vehicle is in good working order, i.e what questions should I ask the seller?

Question 3: If anyone has experience from leaking rear axles and non functional brakes I'm more than happy to listening to any hints and tips!

Thanks

Hello and welcome

Do you have an 88" or a 109"?

The 88" and 109" axles differ from each other, and there are 2 types of 109" rear axle (Salisbury and Rover). You can't swap between 88" and 109" without modification as the leaf springs are in different places. You can fit a Series II, IIa or III 88" rear axle to any of the 88" models.

You should check the new axles has oil in it, not water or creamy oil, check for leaking seals, that the parts move freely and that there is minimal play in the diff.

The rear axle is easy to rebuild and most parts can be ordered overseas though so if it's just your hub seals that are leaking I'd have a go at replacing those rather than the whole axle

As said, just buy a new set of oil seals for the hubs and felt washers for the shafts. They're not difficult to do.

If you need some parts sent I'm sure one of us can source parts and post out.

If empty of oil and you have time you can whip the diff out to check its condition. Broken teeth etc is bad as is bits of wire holding things together (as in my old one!)

Locking wire is still used nowadays it's a good way of keeping things coming undone

Series 2 have smaller wheel studs and nuts than series 3 which can cause them to snap and wheels to fall off if used with the wrong wheels. Not sure about Series 2a though..

jai_landrover said:

Locking wire is still used nowadays it's a good way of keeping things coming undone

Click to expand...

I'm glad it was supposed to be there! The replacement diff didn't have it so I assumed it was a bodge coupled with the whine and horrendous backlash!

This forum is amazing, thanks for your replies and sorry for being slow here...
The rebuild sounds like a good idea!
What part numbers do I need, from the attached image?
http://www.who-sells-it.com/images/catalogs/4834/24972/ct/series-2a-3-parts-000003.jpg

Thanks!

Image for parts: http://www.who-sells-it.com/images/catalogs/4834/24972/ct/series-2a-3-parts-000003.jpg

If you need bits the land rover parts catalogue is here pdf Land Rover Manuals | Landroverweb.com
it'll have all the variants.