Thread: s2a Axle ID

Easiest way is the serial number.

SIII will begin with 3XX or 9XX
SIIA will begin with 2XX
S1&SII will begin with 19X or lower

Though that will just tell you where the casing is from, as most of the internals between SII, SIIA and SIII (and also many SI bits) are interchangeable.

As Ben has said, the axles have many interchangeable parts.

Distinctive features are:-

Rear axles -
Almost all S1 axles are semifloating, that is, there is no protruding hub. All S1 rear axles have a narrower track than S2(a) and S3.
S2a and S3 swb axles are indistinguishable. All lwb S3 axles are salisbury type, most S2(a) lwb axles are Rover.

Front axles -
All S1 axles are narrower track than S2(a) and S3.
All S1 and early S2 axles have the steering arm on the top of the swivel housing, after that on the bottom. S2, S2a and S3 axles are completely interchangeable.

Other differences:-
Reinforcing fillets were optional from S2 onwards, on both front and rear axles, but are more common in later production and in long wheelbse axles.
Late Series 3 axles, front and rear, used a different stub axle and hub.
Wheel studs changed from 9/16 BSF to 16mm close to the end of S2a production.
Drive flanges changed from "spider" to round form early in S2 production.
Vehicles fitted with salisbury rear axles had 24 spline axxles and drive flanges instead of 10 spline, and this was extended to all vehicles in late S3 production.
Except for the Stage 1 V8, all Series Landrovers except very early S1 have interchangeable diffs front and rear.
Note that despite the above, as Ben says, most parts can be interchanged between axles right from S1 onwards (except very early S1), so there is a good chance the axle you are trying to identify is of mixed ancestry.

Hope this helps,
John

Thanks.

Where should I locate the serial numbers?

Originally Posted by Land-lord

Thanks.

Where should I locate the serial numbers?

Front axle is stamped on the top front of the longer tubular section, rear is on the top back of the longer side. It is possible some axles may be stamped elsewhere.

John

Unable to locate any serial numbers on either casing. Help?

What differences exist between s2 and s2a wiht internal axle components?

..." Front axle is stamped on the top front of the longer tubular section, rear is on the top back of the longer side...."

anyone got any pics to describe above?

Originally Posted by Land-lord

Unable to locate any serial numbers on either casing. Help?

What differences exist between s2 and s2a wiht internal axle components?

No change between 2 and 2a, but there were changes during 2a production mainly with the change from spring loaded cone top bush to Railko fibre bush at 24109240 and 25107785 (RHD, I won't bother with LHD) I think this was also when the change from the top mounted arm to the bottom mounted arm was made. But all parts are interchangeable.
Note that also during this time various bits changed from BSF to UNF threads, and in some cases the bolt diameter changed as well.
But as far as I can see from the parts book, the top swivel bearing was the only internal change.

John

Originally Posted by Land-lord

..." Front axle is stamped on the top front of the longer tubular section, rear is on the top back of the longer side...."

anyone got any pics to describe above?

Try this:-

(You might need to take a wire brush to the axle to get through multiple layers of paint, rust, oil dirt etc.)