Having problems getting the driver side axle in. I can feel the axle engage the splines. Then when I turn the axle you can hear it is engaged with the transmission and it won't turn. However I can't get it to go all the way in. From what I have read it should slide in rather easily when lined up. Is that correct?

 

Looks like it is the clip. I took it off and it went in fine. Guess I will try and see if I can compress the clip a bit.

 

In theory the axle should go in without very much effort. The problem is that theory and reality don't always agree with each other.

If you are having difficulty getting the axle in, it may be due in part to the snap ring that is on the end of the splines that goes into the differential. This snap ring has to compress for the axle to go in all the way. You have to get the axle to go in perfectly straight so the snap ring will compress into the groove. This is easier said than done.

All I can say is just keep trying. One time I installed an axle and it went in on the first try. Then I had to remove the axle because I forgot something and then it took me a good half hour or more of trying to get it back in. Totally frustrating.

 

I can't seem to get it. Feel like the strut is keeping me from having a straight shot. From what I have read most don't remove the strut.

 

I ended up dropping the strut. Got a second set of hands to hold it straight and tapped it a few times with the rubber mallet and it popped right in. Probably should have tried that earlier instead of wasting 3 hours.

 

i usually take a bungy cord or rope tie it either to the front end or towards the driver door to hole it out of the way you would have to loosen the 3 bolts holding the strutt in

 

2015