Need help with front axle replacement

[Adventurer]

OK, ALL DONE!

After lining up the axle using a large jack stand positioned under the outside shaft, I pushed it in as far as it would go so that the splines of the output shaft were aligned with the splines in the differential. Then I had to give the axle end a good wack with a 10lb sledge to get the inside axle to "snap in" to the differential. The boots had a tendancy to push the CV's out a bit, so with the help of my wife, I placed a 30" x 3" piece of wood inside the jack stand on the floor. This secured the lower end of the board. Then with the center of the board pressed against the outer axle end, my wife pushed inward at the top of the board to compress the spring effect of the CV boots. This took all the play out of the assembly and one good wack snapped the clip ring of the axle into the differental. I spent more time finding the right size board to do this then it took to seat the axle.

I am now going to reistall the stiffening plate (a.k.a. inspection plate) and tires and take it for a spin. Big thanks to everyone here - especially Dan for helping me out! Happy Thanksgiving all.