what are these, see pics

[gary_in_nz]

hey, been giving my brother a hand dismantling the rear of his hilux (LN106) axel, as there were some terrible clunky noises coming from it. pulled axles out wheel bearings and things are good, pulled diff, (lucky bugger has a factory LSD) diff is all ok when spun by hand, all smooth as expected.

One of these things was loose i think, as when i pushed it, it sort of clipped back into place.







Now my question is, are these just locator's for when you slide the axles back in or do they serve a different purpose??
Are they needed?? because if they keep coming lose and making those noises might just take them out.

Next question, is it easy to shim up these diffs?? are there any online manuals about it that i have missed??

[H2OLOVA]

Pretty sure they're an oil baffle

[Chopper01]

they are a oil baffel ,they are just clip in but I've had no trubble with them comeing out