Just done the rear stubs + seals DEF 300TDI , The stub mud shield was with the gasket between the stub and axle beam face and not under the bolt heads .
More importantly on one side the bearing spacer washer was missing . Just how important is this washer , ive heard tales of doom if you forget to replace it .
Yet I drove back from Nutley E/Sussex when i got it , done another 400 approx , passed its MOT and if i had not done the seals etc because of i leak on the inside of the wheel , with the miles i do i would never of known . So how true are these tales of doom , could i of just run it without instead of getting a replacement . thanks gerry

If U can source a replacement then fit it..

LR didn't just put it in there for the fun of it, surely

That's my thoughts , I wont run it without . But how could someone get it all so wrong , in that they left it out and the mud shield . ever likely i had a leak

Agreed