What is the secret to getting the drivers side drive shaft in to get the retaining the get the retaining clip to click in? I replace the transmission, and can not get the drivers side drive shaft to slide in and get the "audible click" of the retaining ring to snap in place. The shaft feels like it is bottoming out, and will not slide in place. Can't help but think that there is some little trick I am missing.

 

Come on folks. Some of you out there have had to replace your drivers side axle, and had to push it in to get the audible snap the instructions talk about. How hard do you have to push on the axle to get the retainer to slide in and snap. I am really frustrated here. I have done this on other front wheel drive cars, and don't remember it being this difficult.

 

Finally got it. From a Ford Focus forum one of the posts said it responds better to light taps to get the retaining clip to work into the splines. From underneath I held the inner CV joint in while pushing the hub out, then letting it swing back in bottiming the CV joints to make a light tap. Worked great, and made it embarrassingly easy after all the pushing, prying , and %$&*($#^&ing