The left front universal went on me last week and was causing the steering to be heavy and jerky. Removed the wheels to take a closer look and noticed the axle shaft move quite a bit while trying to spin the left side. I looked on parts diagrams and can't tell if there is a bearing in the axle housing that support the axle or if it just free floats and is support by the unit bearing through the universal joint.

Is there a bearing inside the end of the axle housing that support the end of the axle shaft?
If so, looks like I have a problem there too!

Thanks!

 

I am not sure about a bearing at the other end of the shaft, I just rebuilt my whole front end and I didn't notice anything that led me to believe there was a bearing in there. Have you checked the wheel hub bearing to see if it is trashed and causing the excess play.? If all the needle bearings are out of the universal cap it will seem to have alot of play...Good luck

 

There is no bearing on the inboard side of the axle shaft…it just fits into the diff gearing which then supports that end of the axle shaft.

 

I am aware that there is no bearing on the inboard side of the axle (at the differential). I was asking if there was a bearing on the outboard side of the axle (left and right ends of the axle housing) since I'm seeing axial movement of the axle shaft at the very end of the axle housing that would indicate a larger issue if there is or was a bearing behind the seal.

I'm guessing from the lack of a bearing being shown on the parts fiche that there isn't one and the unit bearing at each wheel hub supports the axle through the universal joint.

 

My 06 parts manual doesn't show one either, so I would say you are correct.

Doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling, but that looks like the way they designed it.