HEAVY DUTY AXLES! The Mini drive shaft or half axles are different from side to side. This, the left side one is the shorter of the two. Now for the most part the Mini axle is very long lasting but that is not to say that you can neglect them. The problems are typically related to the splines at the CV joint end. If you have driven the car too long with a worn CV joint you should check your splines. These were manufactured to the latest high tech standards that insure they are truely 'Heavy Duty"!