An axle assembly for a vehicle including a differential assembly, a first axle tube extending outwardly from the differential assembly and including an axle bore, a first axle shaft rotatably received in the axle bore of first axle tube and including a first annular groove, an annular ring holder disposed within the axle bore of the first axle tube, a radial bearing assembly including an outer race and a plurality of roller elements being axially fixed within the axle bore of the first axle tube, a first snap ring received in the annular groove of the first axle shaft, and a thrust ring, the thrust ring being axially disposed between the radial bearing assembly and the first snap ring so that the thrust ring bears against the plurality of roller elements.