Possible broken axle?

Hey guys I'm new to this thread and to rhinos but here goes. 2 weeks ago i bought a 2006 rhino 660 stock. Today while riding in the yard the left rear wheel and hub came off the rhino. I got to looking at it I have lost the rear axle nut, a common problem I understand, but I noticed while the tire was off the the axle will push in towards the differential about 1/4inch. I took the other tire off and that axle doesn't move at all. I'm wondering if something is broke or missing in the inner cv joint. I jacked the rear end up and both axles turn so its not entirely broken it just doesn't seem right. I'm wondering if it was just because the hub and nut was off allowing the axle freedom to move or a major problem. Also the hub splines are worn some. Would continuing to run them cause any problems except to finish wearing them out? I currently have stock tires/rims on it but have new 12"itp's with 25"maxxis bighorns coming in two days. I'd like to get it back going by this weekend. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks Joel

the axle will slide in and out of the inner cv joint. this is normal. well it isn't really the axle, the joint itself moves in and out inside of the inner cup. i'd clean the splines up and run it. as long as you have quite a bit of splines left i'd say you'll be ok. the hub nut is supposed to be torqued to like 200 some foot founds. that alone will hold alot.

Ok thanks. I was getting worried about it.

That movement is normal. As long as the splines are holding, id run it. You could get alot of miles out of it still.

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2008 Rhino 700 special edition 4 seater in steel blue with dynatek ignition, Rigid clutch sheeve, 26" ITP mudlight XL tires, gorilla 3.0xt winch, One industries graphics.
2005 Yamaha RX-1 LE with full power performance stage 2 turbo SOLD
2004 Polaris xc 700 sp with some mods

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