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Knowless

New Member
Hi, first post so please go easy.
I am currently attempting to rebuild my rear axle on a 1981 series 3 88". I have stripped the axle down and found a castle nut on the left hand half shaft and a circlip on the right hand half shaft. Is this normal or has someone installed incorrect half shafts at some point? Is this a problem or should the half shafts match? it dosen't seem right to me but i'm no expert hence the question.
I am only wanting to change the bearings, seals, gaskets and a refresh of the castings but don't want to start my project off on the wrong footing.
Any help appreciated.
 
There were a number of changes made in 1980 by Land Rover, mostly I think to simplify production and part of their going metric program [ Ha ha, even later coilers still have many imperial fittings]
The castle nut shaft is from pre 1980. It is likely that at one time the right shaft broke and was replaced with more common "nut" type.
 
Thanks, so it's OK for the the two half shafts to be different types?
The half shaft has definitely been worked on as the bearing locknuts had been removed/tightened using a chisel, I am assuming that's not how LR did it.
I am on with cleaning all the components so i will check for wear afterwards and replace if required, is there a preferred version of the half shaft or are they pretty much the same?
 
Shaft will be fine, often a case of mix and match parts to keep these oldies going.
52mm box spanner for hub nuts. Bought mine on eBay. Same thing used on early Defenders and Discovery.
Where can you source parts from where you are?
 
I bought a Sealy 52mm 1/2" drive socket it did the job after I had removed the chiseled edges!
I'm between Lancaster and Preston, I haven't looked for any parts yet as I'm just getting started on the project. I don't know why but I thought the rear axle was a good place to start due to many leaks. and no rear brakes.
 
The chassis looked pretty good, however now It is fully stripped down there are some concerns over previous repairs at the front end. Main areas of concern are the previously replaced dumb irons the front cross member and rear cross member. I think it would probably need a front chassis section and possibly a rear cross member although I could probably repair it. I have priced up parts alone and its made me seriously consider a new galvanised chassis.
The bulkhead again looks OK, but i have not really started to look at it in depth yet. From what I have seen I should be able to repair it though.
Hoping to get the axles completed first while I decide what to do with the chassis, any thoughts?
 
Whether to or replace or repair a half good chassis depends a lot on how good you are with a welder. Nice thing about a series chassis is it is mostly just flat plate and not to hard to cut out replacement sections.
 
My first 8 working years was as an agricultural fitter/welder/fabricator, however that was twenty years ago and like my Land Rover my skills are very rusty.
I don't mind repairing the chassis, just don't what to spend lots of money only to find the other half rotting away in a couple of years. I am probably talking myself into the new chassis route, but I'll have to check the budget.
I have seen on some past threads that repair versus new is a hotly debated topic.
 
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