i have moved the ball cover thing as far back as it can go (where the tube tapers out to a wider diameter, so that's good. I had a feeling that I just wasn't getting the u-joint back far enough on the spline, but wanted to check. It seems like if I can remove the cross thing in the yoke that would help with clearance, too. I am hopeful once I can get the tube lowered (the jack stands are under the frame in stead of the rear axle thanks to suggestions here on the forum), things will be more clear.
Hopefully I will find the beat up bolt. Thinking more about it, even if it did get into the transmission, I would imagine it would more likely fall to the bottom near the drain plug. There is visible dents on the yoke, so I am hoping that is what was causing the clunking issue which means it is in the u-joint area somewhere.
Thanks!
