axle sliding out?

[BigBird]

This is on my 84' Limited Wagon

I was at work today and I noticed my rear wheel center cover was coming off so I gave it a good smack to put it back in place and soon realized that it wouldn't go on because the bolt/nut that is in the center is pushed out too far. It looks pretty rusted and the pin is still holding the nut in place. Any ideas of what could be causing this? I know it hasn't always been this way because I've had both rear wheels off before. I haven't had a chance to get it up in the air and look at it yet but I was wondering if anyone else has seen this happen before.

Wish me luck on the ride home.

[mudkicker715]

Its a broken axle shaft. Don't drive it. The wheel could come off.

[BigBird]

Well I made it home (about 9 miles). Do you think theres any chance it could be ANYTHING else? Fried Bearing maybe? I'm about half deaf and there isn't much for exhaust on this thing so I probably wouldn't have heard it anyway.

I'll be tearing it apart this weekend to get a better idea of whats going on. I've been looking around online to see if there is any availability on axles and came up with nothing. Any Ideas?

[amcfool1]

best option is finding a used one from junkyard and or vendor, try ebay.

[amarshall]

What did you find out?  Broken axle shaft after all?