BillyDon,

According to "Step 8" on Page 4-3 of the Shop Manual you are supposed to "Pry shafts apart so that "C" washers are seated in counterbore in differential side gears and install pinions."

Step 9 says "Select axle shaft spacer to give free fit to .014" maximum clearance between ends of axle shaft and the spacer (fig. 5)."

My guess would be you need to use more than finger force to push the axle shafts back out.

BTW - The shop manual after "Step 8" says "CAUTION: Exercise care to avoid scratching or damaging inner ends of shaft."

Hope this helps out?

Dan


~ Dan
1951 Chevy 3 window 3100
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