Rear Axle Bearings Loose

Hi,
My defender recently failed its roadworthiness test.
The tester said the rear axle bearing was loose, and that it was better to repair it now than have the half shaft damaged and have to replace the whole axle.
He suggested putting some washers in to cure the looseness.
I had suspected something as the rear discs would whine a little when I turned one way.
I'm about to fix it only before I put the jeep up on blocks I'd like to know:

does this sound like the right fix?
I'd have thought replacing the bearings would be the way to go.

Does anyone know what kind of washer you need and where to get it?
thanks,
Keep those landies rollin

What year is it? If it's pre TD5 surely it's just a question of tightening the big bearing adjusting nut! I don't see why you should need washers. Makes me think the MoT man doesn't know what he's talking about (Unless it is a TD5, I believe they are different, so please pass on my apologies to him!)

52mm socket or hub tool on the nut and tighten it up against the bearing. the other option is to take it all apart, replace the bearings (inner and outer) regrease and then you know its done right. i think defender wheel bearings should be replaced every 40,000k.

if you do much offroading then that will be reduced from water ingress.

there are a number of lock tabs and washers involved but if the bearing is "loose" then a tweak with a hub spanner is the way to do it.

G