The Rover-Landers of BC

Ok not seen this before, no other apparent damage and no cracks, it almost looks like it was manufactured this way, but I can't think why they would.

That is what one looks like before it snaps completely.

That looks be be severely shock loaded. See it all the time on this transmission mainshafts when truck drivers do not use the clutch when shifting.

What got me was there was no cracking, other signs of stress, as if it was done that way. All the ones I have seen like this have cracking and other stress marks.

We see this all the time in heavy industry.

Seen this many times on Landrover axle shafts. Just thank your lucky stars you found it before it snapped off as that causes a big mess to clean out and the broken piece to remove. Install a new shaft and try and take it easy on the old girl

I suspect this was done in army service, she had a pretty easy life with me before going to sleep for 15 years

Land Rover halfshafts are not very hard and will turn a lot before breaking. Always carry spare half shafts.

This is the long front halfshaft

Lucky you caught it! Mine broke and it looked like it had done exactly that before finally letting go much later. The nice part is because the splines get twisted the little stub is often stuck in the diff, making you take the diff out as well. Good times.