Half-shaft wear?

[Kwpickett]

I've had my 1965 Mk3 Sprite for about 8 months now. My axle seals were leaking, so I've just changed out the bearings and seals. When I pulled the left side half-shaft out, I saw some very strange wear on the shaft. It's very definitely worn. I have a couple of questions - should I replace the shaft? I'm guessing that I should. I can source an EN17 shaft on ebay. However, I've read that the shafts should stay on the side where they've been used - ie. left side to left side. The used shafts aren't marked left or right. Will that matter, or are the later shafts so much better that it won't matter. Will it matter if I only replace one? Here's a photo of the shaft. Any idea why it would wear in this way? I've been able to search most of my problems here on the forum, but I can't find anything like this. Thanks so much.

 

[JPSmit]

I vote for just reinstalling them. I have never seen them break there - They typically (always?) break at the gear end. Also, if something does go wrong they are easy to replace.

BTW (and I apologize if you already know this) when you refill the diff, just put enough oil in that you can just feel the oil with your pinkie by sticking in in the fill hole. More times than anything else the axle seal leak is from overfilling.

 

[Kwpickett]

Thanks very much. I appreciate the advice. It's possible that I did overfill the diff when I changed the oil, but I think these axle seals have been leaking for a long time. When I pulled the left one, the O ring was totally dried out and the previous owner had stacked a couple of paper gaskets in there. I also realized that the rubber seal wasn't really seated well in the hub.

I understand that there is a breather on the diff. My diff is pretty covered with gunk. Is there a trick to clearing the breather?

Thanks again!

 

[JPSmit]

The breather should be obvious.

if it is missing or hopelessly clogged it is a $10 part from Moss

BREATHER

BREATHER

mossmotors.com