95 626: inserting front driver side axle
 

I have a 1995 626 2.0L Manual w/o ABS. I'm replacing the front driver's side axle due to clicking while turning. I was able to get the axle nut off with an 18 inch Craftsman breaker bar + 4 foot steel pipe. I had trouble getting the axle out of the transmission but finally I tugged on it really hard and it came out (yeah you're not supposed to do that). Now I'm trying to install a remanufactured axle assembly (from OReilly auto parts) but I can't get the inner side fully into the transmission. I tried various things for about 2 hours but it still has about 1 inch further to go in. I thought that it was sticking on the circlip so I removed it from the end of the axle to test the theory, but I still can't get it to go in any further.

Does anyone have any tips?