Feel like a NOOB, Seal up my Tube!

[shovel]

I'm new to actually having to repair axles... yeah.

So I have to shove a couple new CV shafts in my 2002 Overland, they haven't arrive yet so I got under there to clean things up while I'm waiting, so the job's less messy.

I haven't started disassembling anything yet, but I noticed that the busted axle CV shaft seems to just sorta flop around in the end of the axle tube - is it supposed to do that? It's not leaking diff oil (diff is filled to bottom of fill hole) - is there supposed to be a bearing or support or seal or something there?

Has the axle's flopping about in there done any damage to the diff carrier/etc while I've been driving?

If there's some part I should be buying before installing new CV shafts, point me in the right direction please, I don't have a second car to run to the parts store with halfway into the job!

[Utah_ZJ]

We cannot teleport through the web and tell you if something is wrong, but I'm pretty sure I offered some tips in your other tread.

[shovel]

Originally Posted by Utah_ZJ

We cannot teleport through the web and tell you if something is wrong, but I'm pretty sure I offered some tips in your other tread.

You did. Thank you.

I was just wondering if there is supposed to be something supporting the axle shaft at the outer end of the axle tube, and keeping dirt out - or if the tube's just open to the air with the axle shaft floating in there, since I don't see anything in place there presently (still haven't disassembled it, as the new shafts aren't here yet). Knowing that I need to get an extra part now (while I have an operational vehicle) would be helpful as opposed to learning I need some sort of support/bearing/seal/whatever after it's disassembled & undriveable.

And, since I'm still commuting in this vehicle but haven't yet removed the broken axle shaft - is this doing damage? No teleportation is necessary.. just anecdotal experience like "yeah get that thing outta there before you drive another mile!" or "nah, it can flop around in there for months" would be helpful.

I'm new to solid front axles, not to wrenches, 4x4 vehicles or forums. Any reply is appreciated, but more useful ones are more worth the keystrokes.