MG
The Classic Marque

No I don't have this problem. I have never done anything special about fitting the halfshaft. Whatever you do the wheel nuts will clamp it all together. If you have the correct gasket and O-ring it should not leak. But the oilseal can leak, and I have fitted a Speedi-Sleeve to one of my hubs.

A few of us our still here. Glad to see you are back and you are both moving around.

I use a cork gasket stuck to the cover with silicone. Just a smear of oil on the underside. Oddly I have an alloy cover that came cheaply from Sussex Classic Car when they closed down, and it has always leaked. I have checked it on a surface plate and can't see anything wrong with it. I tried various thicknesses of washer and still it leaked. So I gave up, it was only a vanity item.

Echo Guy's question.

Are you sure it isn't the bearing seal behind the hub?

Last time I put mine back on, new 0 rings and gaskets and I have some Loctite MR5922 non hardening gasket sealant. (very sticky and messy to apply)

Ensure all mating surfaces are super clean and flat.

Then, fit the halfshaft and the screw.

Then fit the wheelnuts with some washers and tighten.

Tighten the screw

Tighten the wheelnuts a little more

I must admit I don't have a problem. I do use blue hylomar on both the hub and the half shaft together with the gasket and O ring. Beware some replacement O rings are thinner than original. I also have a decent supply of NOS gaskets to ensure the gasket thickness is correct. Happy to let you have a couple.

Do you have an O-ring fitted?

Please - has anybody ever managed to achieve a good seal between the rear hub and the axle flange?
I never have, in numerous attempts over the last twenty years.

I understand that the paper gasket has to be compressed before the abutment shoulder of the shaft pulls up against the bearing races, and my manual says the gasket should be about 0.010 and no thinner, "otherwise an oil leak ...

Good find! A tad pricey though...