Originally Posted by seely
I wouldn't be so sure the axle is straight. I just overhauled my '01 Deore today and noticed the same thing though not as extreme as you indicate. The axle appeared straight, but holding it up to a straight edge in about 10 different positions revealed the axle was indeed bent be it ever so slightly. It was really noticeable when I tried to reuse my old QR and had trouble getting it in the new axle.
I'd have to agree. Another way to check is to roll the bare axle on a flat floor (much like you'd check a pool cue). If it's bent you'll know right away.
A lot of OEM axle shafts have threads that are rolled rather than cut and often the center portion of the axle doesn't have threads. Because the threads are rolled the axle diameter will be slightly smaller in the center than over the major diameter of the threads.