Rear half shaft float and oil seal

[Oberon 110]

Hi all,
Lost my rear passenger side hubcap on a trip a couple of weeks ago and I've noticed that the axle slides out of the hub about 1/2 an inch. If I push it back in so that the circlip is flush with the hub, it always slides back out after driving. I understand the axle shafts are fully floating, but is this amount of "float" normal? Also, there's a steady leak of diff oil out the end of the hub and down the wheel - I can't seem to find a clear answer online as to whether or not Sals axles have oil seals on the half shafts. Is it just the hubcap that stops oil dripping out the end of the hub? Sals axle in a 1995 110. Any thoughts appreciated.

[JDNSW]

This is more than expected. Most likely reason is badly worn splines on the drive flange and possibly the half shaft. Loss of drive possible in the near future! Easy to investigate, remove shaft and flange & examine.

[Oberon 110]

This is more than expected. Most likely reason is badly worn splines on the drive flange and possibly the half shaft. Loss of drive possible in the near future! Easy to investigate, remove shaft and flange & examine.

Appreciate your response! Yeah makes sense, however the axle shafts and flanges are all new... they were replaced recently due to the half shafts having been welded to the flanges by a previous owner.

I've also had the pinion seal fail within around 5k kms after having the pinion seal replaced at the same time as the axles and flanges. I trust my mechanic but do wonder if maybe he had an apprentice on this job...

I'm also aware that the diff is pretty tired, so is it possible that spline wear in the diff could cause this kind of float?

Cheers

[TonyC]

The end float is all controlled by the hub flange and circlip, nothing in the diff end.

What axles and flanges are they?

I have Hi Tough "X" axles in mine,the X denotes a longer spline on the flange end, these are matched to Hi Tough "X" flanges that are thicker in the splined section.

If you matched these axles with standard flanges you would get something like you problem.

I'm not sure how much longer the spline is.

Tony

Edit.
Apparently the "X" axles are 10mm longer than standard.

[Oberon 110]

The end float is all controlled by the hub flange and circlip, nothing in the diff end.

What axles and flanges are they?

I have Hi Tough "X" axles in mine,the X denotes a longer spline on the flange end, these are matched to Hi Tough "X" flanges that are thicker in the splined section.

If you matched these axles with standard flanges you would get something like you problem.

I'm not sure how much longer the spline is.

Tony

Edit.
Apparently the "X" axles are 10mm longer than standard.

Interesting, I know the flanges are just the standard "late" type (thinner than the early ones I believe), not sure what shafts went in but I'll have a look. Perhaps the later flanges are also to be fitted to later axles with a shorter spline, and my mechanic has fitted early axles with late flanges? Just speculation though. Anyway, very helpful, thank you!

[JDNSW]

That does sound likely.

[Tins]

Hi all,
Lost my rear passenger side hubcap on a trip a couple of weeks ago and I've noticed that the axle slides out of the hub about 1/2 an inch.

Don't imagine there's a coincidence here...