So, I got my rear diff back from Shep, after a clutch plate rearrangement and refresh service. The service was EXCELLENT, cheap, and communication with Shep is great

Now I'm having issues getting the diff back in the car. For the life of me I can't figure out how to install the halfshafts into the rear diff. They go in most of the way, but then they get stuck. I suspect it has to do with the snap ring. Am I supposed to hammer them in there? If so, what surface do I use? This has me totally stuck - help!

 

On my '92 DSM I had had the front axles out several times for clutch work and a tranny swap. One day I noticed that the outer axle boots looked to be on their last legs. I got some boot kits and went to work swapping out the axle boots. When I went to install the passenger side axle it didn't want to snap in.

The boot kits included new circlips and so I thought that maybe the circlips get distorted over time especially after the axle has be pulled a few times. So, I tenderly installed a new circlip being careful to do no bending. Problem solved.