The information below was posted by Jim Hearne in answer to the questions:
Are the MK1 and MK2 axles the same?
As in can a MK1 be used where a mk2 used to be on a saloon?
Almost
On the Mk1 the handbrake cable is a exposed cable that goes round a pulley and lever to equalise it. You don't need the brackets that hold these on the Mk2 with it's twin enclosed cables so you can cut them off. Otherwise it's the same, i've used a Mk1 rear axle on a Mk2 Fiesta in the past.
Jim