Halfshaft moving in & out - strange problem

[jondee86]

For what its worth, no vehicle manufacturer would rely on the fit of
the bearing to hold an axle in place. It would have to be mechanically
retained by a circlip or cap. The fit of the bearing is to prevent the
outer race rotating in the housing, and to reduce fretting corrosion.

If your axle was floating behind the retainer, there must have been a
setup error, or some damage to the retainer.

Cheers... jondee86