Could this axle stub be my problem ??

[MountainGoat1966]

84 K-10
Last year I installed a limited slip carrier in the front axle, and since my axle shafts were history, I bought a set of supposedly good used ones.
Shortly after that, I started hearing a metal to metal rubbing/grinding/squealing coming from the front end, but only when the front hubs were engaged.
The noise was not constant, it was an off/on sound like it was making it only during part of the rotation of the wheel.
And not every revolution of the wheel, either.
I might go 100 feet or more before I heard the sound again.
When I was under the truck the other day to change oil and filter, I grabbed the axle at the u-joint and checked for play.
Sure enough, it had very noticeable vertical play.
I would think it should be tight in the spindle.
Today, I disassembled it, the shaft is shiny but no wear that I can detect, and the bearing in the spindle appeared good and still has grease.
What should the shaft stub measure at the point where it rides in the bearing?
I measured 1.308".
With my luck, the axles are no good and I need to scrounge up some money for new ones.
Many thanks in advance for you guy's input and advice.

[MountainGoat1966]

Here's a pic of the spindle with the ridge cut in it.

[MountainGoat1966]

UPDATE:
I found a place online who carries the parts, called, and the man knew his business, he said the bearings are tougher than nails, but the shaft is soft and SHOULD measure 1.060 so I have considerable wear on it.
He also suggested a bad u-joint in the axle could be causing some issues.
Guess I shall spend some money and get greasy to try and fix the truck.

[wildwilly4x4]

get rid of the spindle bearings and go to the plastic bushings from Longfield. I have done this in my offroad toys, and my daily drivers. Much better setup than a bearing in that kind of service. Spindle bearings were always a problem for me because of the lack of a good seal in that area. The plastic bushings are easy to maintain especially if your stub shaft is in questionable shape to act as a race inside of a roller bearing.