possible broken axle?

[bigboyblazers]

my drivers side tire sticks out about a half an inch farther than the passenger side and I get a loud popping noise from the front. could it be from a broken axle? I pulled the diff cover and didn't see any metal flakes. also should the spider gears be able to move up and down on the cross shaft, mine moves almost a quarter of an inch.

 

[divorced]

Probably not a broken axle. Check to be sure the axle is bolted good to the leaf spring; sometimes the centering pin in the spring can break