by sparkybandit » Fri Sep 03, 2021 10:33 pm
I've done this job and I too was concerned that I might not have pushed it deep enough into the gearbox.
Others may correct me, but I don't think this side driveshaft has a circlip (unlike the passenger side) and so it's hard to feel a resounding click when you insert it in gearbox.
you can only really twist the shaft as you place it into the gearbox to check if its locating okay.
I think I worried when I saw the differing shades of metal on the gearbox side of the shaft (your aftermarket shaft is the same) which led me to think it was not far enough in but i think the colour split there is unimportant.
As long as the supporting half bearing mount is fairly in line with the actual bearing surface on the shaft ( i think mine was off a few mm too) I think you can say it won't go in any further.
If you've driven it gingerly and all seems fine then you're probably fine.
Leak wise you really ought to check the gearbox oil is up to level, van must be level and fill hole (allen socket - use a proper oil drain plug tool) is at front of gearbox and oil must just be level with hole. Drain hole is difficult to spot initially it's towards the rear not far back from where the drivers driveshaft enters in a little cranny/nook...search transmission oil on here and there are some posts about it.
Why you're leaking from there,is it perhaps oil spill from when you removed old one. Otherwise it must be a seal there that needs replacing.
all the best