Does anyone have a part number or exactly what the name of the outter bearing in the front axle is? I need a new u joint, and while looking at it noticed that my axle shaft moves around inside the axle tube, its not in the hub, its on the actual axle itself. thanks, jake

 

the only thing that supports the axle shaft is the wheel bearing(hub) and the spider gear inside the diff. There is no axle shaft bearing(like in a rear axle that is by the backing plate)

is it leaking any fluid out of the tube by the u-joint?

 

i had it on the lift at school today, didnt see any signs of leakage. If it helps to explain what im talking about, there is a black plastic "shield" right in front of the axle tube, ill go out and try to get a picture

 

right behind the black plastic ring, isnt there a bearing in there?

 

No. There's just a seal in there. The hub/wheel bearing supports the outboard end of the axle as stated earlier.

 

so then is the only reason the axle shaft is moving in there because of the u joint?

 

Either that or the hub bearing is bad. IMO