Rear Axle Pitting and axle tube wear questions

[GenViper]

While working on my 2002 TA (86,000 mi) to replace the rear axle bearings, I pulled out the axle and noticed what to me seems to be heavy pitting on the axle shaft where the bearing mounts. I took a photo to illustrate, and am wondering if this is actually excessive, or if this is simply normal wear and tear. Do I need to replace the axle? I have no idea how long the bearing has been bad.

Also, once I got the seal and bearing off, I noticed that the 'lip' that the bearing was resting against was much thinner at the bottom than the top (picture also attached). The diff oil had alot of metal shavings in it, and combined with the axle pitting and no idea how long the bearing has been bad made me wonder if the axle may have been rubbing on the bottom. I have no idea as I've never done this repair before, but since I was asking about the axle I wanted to find out about this as well; any reason to be worried? Or just business as usual?

[sman]

Ive had a few 10 bolts apart over the years, and thats the first time ive seen one that bad. It looks rough/really pitted in the pictures. But pictures can be deciveing. Can you feel it with your finger nail, does it like catch on it?

[DETROITMUSCLE]

looks rough to me too.

[Emulsifide]

From the little I remember about my metallurgy class at Kettering, hardened steel's integrity is usually on the surface of the object. I'd say you're on the edge of certain disaster if you decide to use those again. Buy from these guys:

http://www.dutchmanaxles.com/products/c-clip-axle-pair

Call them first before ordering online since you have reluctor rings for your 4 channel ABS (unless you've deleted it and/or don't care). It will probably be slightly more than the $235.00 on their web site. My buddy swears by their products for wheeling (aka uber torque) and they have a lifetime warranty even if you twist them into two pieces.

[GenViper]

Thanks for the advice; went ahead about bought an axle from GM, as they had it in stock and the soonest anyone else could get it out to me was over a week away (and my boss would likely be unhappy with me missing over a week).