Comparing the rear axle caps to main caps is comparing apples to oranges. Since the rear axle cap does nothing to locate the bearing, it is not necessary that they be left on the same side. The main cap in an engine serves to hold the bearing and crank in place, as well as properly locate the bearing. It is imperative the main caps remain in the same position or if position is lost the crank bore will need to be honed at best. Because the caps on a rear axle have absolutely NOTHING to do with locating the bearings on the centerline of the housing, the caps' placement is NOT critical. It's not about what some people "get away with". I plainly said if you know the original placement, it is certainly better to keep them there. A tapered roller bearing is totally different than a crush type babbit. The comparison between the two is completely irrelavent. Because the tapered rollers have a seperate race, the caps do nothing except hold them in place. PERIOD. I never said that method is "accepted" or "preferred" or "correct". I said that it is not CRITICAL, because it is not.