Separated Tire Noise That Isn't -- Update

[David Conner]

>> Tom,
>> Be aware that the bearing is easily damaged with the axle shaft removed.

Bernie asks....:
>And just how would that be?

Bernie,
I don't understand exactly what happens, but I've read plenty of warnings
not to roll the car with the axle stub removed from the hub cause it will
crush the bearing.  I assume that with the axle bolted to the hub, force is
evenly distrubuted over the entire bearing, but with the axle removed the
force is focused on a single point of the bearing ... "crushing" the bearing. 

I haven't tested to prove whether it's true WRT rolling the car, but during
a recent suspension rebuild, when I unbolted a front strut it dropped a few
inches (maybe six inches) to the concrete floor.  The result seemed to be
>way< too much play in the hub bearing assembly.  It appeared the bearing
was damaged by the drop and I replaced it.  

Wouldn't dropping the assembly with axle removed be akin to rolling the car
with axle removed?  

  The last thing I'd want would be to spread false rumor so if I have
something wrong here I hope someone will enlighten me.
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Dave C.