I know that an axle that goes to a manual tranny is bigger than an axle that goes to an auto tranny on the driver side. What I really want to know is if the other side of the axle manual or auto that goes to the wheel spindle is the same size?

 

manual/auto is the same...

it's the VG/VE difference you need to worry about.

and the only thing that's different is the wheel hub itself. (which is the part that gets ruined when the wheel bearing goes bad).

I found all this out the hard way. just buy the correct one for your car and don't worry about it.