New rear axle assembly has arrived

Hi ZookFastback
Interesting situation as that weld would presumably have been made by an automatic machine, and not hand welded. So maybe it has happened to other cars as well. I think you were very lucky to get home with it, but even more lucky that it didn't cause as accident.
Good luck with your claim!

I built some axle welding machines years ago when the ford transit as its known over here was RWD
The cases on those were not so much welded more fused together bacically you bought the 2 parts together + on one - on the other it would then strike an arch bettween the 2 parts draw them apart to increase the arc and weld pool before slamming them back together machines sceamed like banshees as the arc was drawn apart very cool but never seemed like a good old MIG or Arc weld

Hmmm, interesting chat with a Suzi rep. He reminded me that the soft-tops were made by Santana Motors in Spain and that Santana declared bankruptcy. Lol, I am not paranoid, the world really is conspiring against me

Anyway, don't care. Main thing is to get up and running. If anyone else has had the same problem with axle housing welding would be interested to hear from you. Class action as opposed to non-classy action

Hmmmmmm could be i was happy to see mine had a J for Japan prefix on the chassis number
Santana did the S3 late landrovers over here from what i beleive they were not so good and the Spanish SJs and Sammies were shocking for rust and poor build quality ive still got a Jap SJ 26years old not mint but still all there

its only the soft top jimnys that are made in spain i think

Old rear axle assembly removed at last. I have never done this sort of work before so I go slow and take plenty of photos.

Nothing seized up in the bolt side of things so all is going good and will use the same bolts for re-assembly. Must remember to put that purple thread stuff on after I have cleaned the threads with wire brush. Poly bushes haven't arrived yet so may not get to assemble over weekend but no hurry, got plenty of cars.