difference being that MOST other vehicles (front wheel drivers) do NOT require the axle stub assembly for the hub bearing to stay together. Our trucks require the axle torqued to MAINTAIN the bearing assembly as without it ....the bearing WILL separate and you will die...!
Yes it may "feel" ok without an axle in it...may drive ok for a little while....but it WILL fail! And actually what happens is the wheel hub (that the wheel is bolted to) then sorta flops around while rotating....then under a moderate turn...can and WILL BREAK OFF THE BRAKE CALIPER... yup....as wheel exits vehicle also note hydraulic FAILURE due to caliper not having a rotor...blows the piston out when you attempt to hit the "oh chit" brakes...

This is the ONLY vehicle I have ever seen with hub bearings like this....ever.

 

well it is still torqued to spec, so unless that torque come un-torqued there isn't an issue.

 

consumer NOTE: Just TRIED to replace my front axles...key word TRIED. Driver side cv was snapping and popping even hindering the steering (while stationary). Twas Black Friday!!!....looked at Rock Auto...4 days wait.. hit up Advance auto ONLINE..25% OFF... Carquest NEW axles assemble NCV11123 got BOTH for like $125 prepare to swap saturday evening!

THEN....remove wheels, swaybar bolt drop axles.. 30 min job. Upon installing NEW axles I noticed that they would NOT sit flush with differential flange???? figured they were NEW and not sloppy like my 275k mile originals.... so i loaded the lower control arms about 1/2" ...bolted then in ...jack up truck so suspension is in full droop (upper control arm against frame stop)..CAN ONLY ROTATE TIRE about 30 degrees then THUNK...STOPS ......BOTH SIDES!!!!!! Remove pass side axle...driver side still will NOT rotate. Remove driver side and re-install OEM axle ....rotates FINE!
SOOOOOOOO
2000 hrs now....go to Auto Zone (Duralast Gold B9337N) ..now i do NOT get a sale, no reward points..etc..etc... Install axle ROTATES FINE in full droop!

Conclusion: Obviously CarQuests chinese manufacturer missed a critical dimension (remember 2 AXLES TRIED...same result) when interpreting the FORD blue print as their axle does NOT allow full articulation of the suspension without DAMAGE to the cv assembly!

Whew...now EVERYBODY knows....cause its on the INTERNET!!
Carquest CV axle NCV11123 = BAD

45 min job turned into 2 1/2 hr PITA.