8 3/4 rear end axles

Some thing is missing in your story. They only way you could see the end of the other axle is if your running a spool. If you have the cone type Sg and the thrust block was missing you would see the spider gear cross shaft. If you have the clutch type and the thrust buttons were missing you would see a tiny hole where the buttons go, you still couldn't see the other axle! I think you may be looking at the end of the thrust block which has the appearance of a axle end. How are you adjusting the end play/