I would have thought that axle tube corrosion on an a/c of that age was fairly unlikely.
But as an LAE myself , do rather feel for the maint. guys in a situation like this , as everyone and his mother in law is trying to second-guess their actions , and I don't think that I would like to do a nightshift on R/A's aeroplanes , either at STN or anywhere else. I have my theories on the matter which for the moment will remain theories.
As far as knowing about the wheels departure . A slight pull to the left probably , accompanied by a TPIS warning ?