Who's pulled a rear axle shaft?

Hey all, wondered who's pulled an axle shaft before? I need to know how to determine if the bearing is bad. There seems to be a lot of slop in mine, but I think it is taken out when the axle bottoms out against the diff?
Any help?

Before u go to the trouble of pulling the axles (they are a beautch to get out),jack the truck up grab the tires first at the 3 oclock/9 oclock position, then at the 12 oclock /6 oclock position and see if there is any play when u try to move them back and forth.If there is a lot u may have bad outer bearings.If no or very little play probably not.I did this on th 93 I just bought and there probably wasnt a 1/16th play on either back wheel.BJ

Actually, the axles are already out, but I agree that they are a beautch!
My problem is that the do have a bunch of slop when installed, but I think it's because they are not bottomed out on the diff.

they arent supposed to bottom out in the differantial. they would be bottoming out on the crosspin, which wouldnt be a good thing.

if you bolt them in and they have play they are bad.

what the man said.Play (slop) equals bad axles and /or bad bearings.BJ