Axle movement?

This probably is, and might be, normal. But be aware, in my old age, I actually learned something this summer.

For a short time, I had a used "open" third member in mine that was owned by either "the burn out king" or the "mudder king."

I had stuck this member in while I reworked the limited slip in "the other one." These are Ferd 9". It became evident that there was an "odd" vibration. Three times on the hoist "wiggling" the tires, and shaking the axles, and finally pulling the axle, and FINALLY pulling the member showed the problem......................

The spider gear on one side WAS SO BADLY WORN and had been SPUN SO MUCH that the sides and back of the gear and the cavity in the housing had worn "sloppy" in other words while the wheel bearing had no play, the INNER END of the axle would move up/ down some 1/8" ? or so and you could FEEL this going down the street at 20-30 mph.

I think I might have photos of it here somewhere...........