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.