Just about to start re-assemble the complete rear subframe, rear suspension and the differential to my Xkr 2000. Half-shafts amongst lots of other parts has been looked after and got new universal joints. But I apparently lost the left side mark I made on the left side shaft! Is it possible to find out what part is left hand and what part is right hand side? They have got different series of numbers on them, see pic below. One has got a serie ending with 5630. The other one has the numbers damaged but clearly not ending with 5630.

 

When checking the parts book the left and right both have the same part number so I don't think it should matter.

 

Thanks for checking. The reason I want to.put them back on the side they came from is that the workshop that serviced the differential told me half-shafts should go back the same place again because of material stretch. The steel stretches a bit and if you change sides there is a risk of material failure

 

Half shafts are under compression and twisting load.
The torque twist could stretch a little I suppose.

 

Higgins,

Not sure if it really matters, but at least you have a 50/50 chance of getting it right!

 

True, David :-)

Luckily I took a photo of the complete assembly before taking everything apart for cleaning and checking. This was in December last year. Found that photo now and I can spot a mark in the right hand shaft that I can localize! So issue is solved now

 

I believe there is something in it. Years ago, a friend broke a half shaft in his Frogeye. The first replacement broke in short order. We sourced another from the matching side (they were easily available, being identical to a Morris Minor or similarly agricultural type of vehicle) and he had no further problems.

 

Higgins,
The suspension geometry means the Half-shafts are in compression (as per motorcarman's comments), so there will be no material stretch.
Whilst the half-shaft body is forged, the hole centres are precision machined because their length dictates wheel camber. They are NOT handed.
You can check this on your vehicle by looking for the shim plates between the Diff and the Half-shaft flange (see pic). Check they are the same thickness on both sides. If they are the same thickness, then it is reasonable to assume your half shafts are matching pairs.

 

Thanks for the clarification! Really appreciate it