I searched and didn't find the answer I needed but anyway, I went to change my CV boots and then someone told me that what I had was an aftermarket shaft so I elected to get a used factory shaft with new boots for around the same price as a made in china new version. But, when I go to put it in, I realized that there is a gap between the hub of the outer shaft and the wheel bearing. The one I got fit well but appeared to be missing a flange to seal out dirt and water. My question is that since it all fit perfectly otherwise, is there a difference year to year on what shaft you get? Mine is a 91 V6 pickup with ADD.
see the pic below:
new on the left/old on the right

old on the left/new on the right

Appreciate any help or direction..

 

i bought an aftermarket cv from advanced auto and it came with the seal a few months later the boot busted. I brought it back because it has a lifetime warrenty and the new one did not have the seal. The guy at advanced auto looked it up and some come with the seal some dont he didnt know why. it was the last one left at the store so he took the seal off the old one and put it on the new one for me. i think it just seals out dirt and water but thats just a guess. hope this helps

 

The seal that's missing is a crucial piece that needs to be there. It fits snugly into the spindle seal and helps keep dirt/dust and water out of the inside of the spindle. Those same contaminants can also reach the inner workings of the hub locker(if applicable), and the wheel bearings, if those seals aren't both intact and in good condition. Numerous water crossings with those seals leaking on mine led to eventual wheel bearing failure. Not to mention doing a pretty good number on my hub locker on the driver's side too. I ended up replacing all the wheel bearings and all those seals on both sides to prevent any such occurances in the near future.

 

I didn't realize that they were removable. I'll swap them tomorrow since the seals are still in pretty good shape.
Thanks for the help!