problem when replacing CV shaft
 

So last night my boot riped away from the clamp on my CV shaft and I did not notice it, that is intill I when threw a few mud puddles and it almost comptely locked up. So I trailered it home, pulled the bad CV out, and was in the process of puttin the new Napa unit it. I cant seem to get the CV inner spines started in the front diff. http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/cv_axle/ (its step 25 I am stuck on) Also my napa replacement does not have that big of lip where this guy is hitting it on with his pry bar. Which is also making it difficult. Any suggestions? I just dont want to ruin this brand new cv. Thanks guys

I used to do a ton of these,manly on camry's...Try this:

Instead of the open end of snap ring facing up..like the link says...have the opening of the C-clip facing down..towards ground...Next thread the nut on the end of the axle that goes through the spindle untill its flush with the end with the axle threads....start pushing the axle assembly into the diff,make sure its going in strait and you can turn the axle with your hand and its positively engaged with the diff splines....Next,try to compress it as much as you can(push axle into diff)...next try and get the axle assembly as strait as you can...smack axle with big dead blow hammer....Should snap right in....take the nut off the axle and reassemble......

Thanks 97, I will try that method after work. I am probably just not being agressive enough w/ it. But work smart not hard, eh?