between both cv joints and axle housing on the front end, there is what looks like a piece of the seal just hanging there. is this normal? it looks like the right side has been leaking but the right side is fine.

 

Very common for both the axle to hub/spindle seal to loose a 'ring' as well as the axle to tube dust seal to loose the outter most portion of the seal.. If gear lube is leaking down the axle tube, the inner axle seals will need to be replaced from inside the diff case.. The axle tubes should be cleaned of debris during a re-seal so not to push debris into the new seals, or to cause premature seal wear...