Morris Minor Owners Club

Well, whilst checking the brake shoes on my '64 Traveller I noticed the screw that I now understand holds the half shaft in ! I released the screw, having noticed a slight dripping of oil. I think the gasket make be leaking. Having pulled the half shaft ( offside ) a short way towards me I then had difficulty returning it home - so I turned it - and I turned it etc Some fiddling later it slid happily back home. Then I checked the other side of the car. I didn't remove anything this time but ....... as I turned the wheel hub ( the car is jacked up with both wheels clear of the ground ) I noticed that the opposite wheel ( which I'd now put back on ) turned in the opposite direction. Confused, I put the remaining wheel (nearside) bakc on. Lowered the car and gently moved the car backwards. Now the wheels truned in the same direction, but ..... have I done something wrong whilst replacing the half shaft ( it was not completely removed ) or is that the way it is and I just have an awful lot to learn ! I guess there's a connection to the differential ? Having gently moved the car backwards I have not driven it since. I am concerened that my pushing / driving it see if all is well may cause damage.
Any ideas ? Thank you for your assistance and patience with a novice,
Andi.

You've done no harm by pulling out the halfshaft - as you described it's very fiddly to push it back but when it does slide in it's very smooth. You won't have harmed anything within the diff - however I would keep a very close eye on the oil seepage. If this gets onto the brake shoe it will be useless. It might be wise to get a new gasket anyway.

Don't worry about the wheels moving in the opposite direction. It's meant to do that, it's how the diff works. Perfectly normal!

Diolch ! Thank you Chris and Cam for your replies. Whew ! Relief ! I'll continue with my mechanical course !
Thanks again, Andi.

Unless you have a limited slip diff, in which case the wheels turn in the same direction......

a limited slip diff, in which case the wheels turn in the same direction

Yes, but they didn't, so it isn't

???

;-)