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SimonBrown

Well-Known Member
Like many 40 year old Land Rovers Izzy has seen a few mods. Originally a 1987 vintage 110 the engine, gearbox and back axle have all been swapped at some point.

An ID of the front axle has so far eluded me. Been over the tube with a wire brush and torch and no serial number is to be found. If its there, its very, very elusive.

I do know the radius arms are the narrow type. And the swivel housings are 7 bolt variety. I think this suggests the axle may be original...but is it?

What says the LandyZone collective pool of knowledge? Here are some photos.

20250803-0002.jpg
20250803-0006.jpg
20250803-0005.jpg
20250803-0001.jpg
20250803-0003.jpg

Any and all suggestions most welcome.
 
Why do you think the axle may not be original. It is just because the rear has been changed? Axles are very easy to rebuild so unless there is a very good reason they are not something people tend to change. Especially as the front already has disc brakes rather than drums.

On a separate note what has the rear been changed to, in the late 90’s early 2000’s people Had a habit of putting discovery axles under defender to get rear disc brakes but they are not weight rated for a 110.
 
dag019 said:
Why do you think the axle may not be original. It is just because the rear has been changed? Axles are very easy to rebuild so unless there is a very good reason they are not something people tend to change. Especially as the front already has disc brakes rather than drums.

On a separate note what has the rear been changed to, in the late 90’s early 2000’s people Had a habit of putting discovery axles under defender to get rear disc brakes but they are not weight rated for a 110.
Click to expand...
Not 100% certain it has been replaced...but getting a positive ID will be needed at some point.

Rear is a Sailsbury.

Caliper photo inbound shortly. Judging by the fact some of the zinc and yellow passivate is still visible, and the discs are practically unworn...and there is a mix of bolt and caphead fixings used...they have been replaced
 
The fact that has no number along with narrow arm brackets, larger axle end caps, swivel housing style suggest it is the original axle. I fact it looks just like my 1990 one [which is original] with more rust. Not that bad though looks like it will clean up well. I have repaired brackets and other weld jobs on mine Your diff pan is whole lot better than mine. :)
Discs have very likely been renewed over the years and also the calipers.
@Hicap phill, Simon's is a One Ten so will have had that size caliper from new.[hence the name] Only Ninety's had the smaller caliper. When they first came out they were shod with 205 tires so guess Land Rover thought the smaller calipers enough. The larger caliper became standard on SWB with the 200tdi.
 
@tottot my 85 110 V8 had the Small callipers on. As the motors were built the same time as RRC they used the small ones. Was better as all the pads were the same size. Then the disco came out and same again,small callipers on some of these.
I’m now on the large callipers
 
Corrected I am, pretty sure 89 One ten had the larger calipers but has been a long time.
My 1990 Ninety has the also has the large calipers now as well as bit larger tires than original 205's
 
Not only did Land Rover have the policy of improvement...that mindset persists with (most of) the owners.

Thanks everyone.
 
tottot said:
The fact that has no number along with narrow arm brackets, larger axle end caps, swivel housing style suggest it is the original axle. I fact it looks just like my 1990 one [which is original] with more rust. Not that bad though looks like it will clean up well. I have repaired brackets and other weld jobs on mine Your diff pan is whole lot better than mine. :)
Click to expand...
The diff pan had a guard that trapped mud/moisture. I did wonder what was going to be left of the casing, but its looking OK.

Clean up job will commence in time. Most brackets are sound I think but the stripping wheel will reveal all.
 
SimonBrown said:
The diff pan had a guard that trapped mud/moisture. I did wonder what was going to be left of the casing, but its looking OK.

Clean up job will commence in time. Most brackets are sound I think but the stripping wheel will reveal all.
Click to expand...
That is fairly common. You need to fill the diff guard with waxoil or similar to preserve the diff pan. I would not run without the guard personally as the diff pans are very thin.
 
dag019 said:
That is fairly common. You need to fill the diff guard with waxoil or similar to preserve the diff pan. I would not run without the guard personally as the diff pans are very thin.
Click to expand...
I did wonder if the diff guard was going to be refitted. That kind of feedback means its going back on. But not before a good deal of corrosion prevention has been applied.
 
SimonBrown said:
I did wonder if the diff guard was going to be refitted. That kind of feedback means its going back on. But not before a good deal of corrosion prevention has been applied.
Click to expand...
Clearly you can run without them and people do, but they are a very cheap and easy to fit piece of protection that I would not go without. Considering how thin the diff pan is, it would not take much of a knock to dent or damage it. Especially if you drive you land rover like a 4x4 rather than a car I do not think it is worth the risk, all it takes is a high curb or a hidden rock in the grass on the verge.
 
Mines battered pan. Should have could have would have fitted diff guard. :D but sealed by welder.
 

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