Ok friendly folks, all your other info very helpful. How in the bloody hell do you get the drivers side CV axle (with the circlip) back into the transmission. Just beat on it with a bigger hammer? I'm serious, this axle has used up more time in removal and install than the whole whole engine swap.

 

@Mccannro ,

Are you using a brand new circa clip? If so, the new clip maybe a tad thicker than the original. It's okay to reuse the the old circa clip since the hub assembly will prevent the axle walking out. And of course, please use a "DEAD-BLOW" hammer and not a sledge hammer

 

Rubber mallet and make sure its lined up. Hit from the end or use a bar and get inward where its not hitting at sharp angle but towards the transmission.

 

Thanks all for the advice. I will be getting a 5Lb dead blow on my way home from the pub. The I figured the circlip may be the problem so I purchased 2 OEM clips from the local mini dealer. Too bad they do not have a proper spring temper on them, had to make a special tool to get th on the shaft without yielding.