CV axle won't go into engine

[liuyu79]

This has got to the most frustrating job I ever did. I was able to remove passenger side CV axle. C clip came out just fine. But for god's sake, I can't put the replacement CV axle back into the transfer case, I even reused the old c clip. The last 3/4 inches just doesn't want to go in. I can feel the splines are engaged, because when I turn passenger side hub, I can see driver's wheel is turning with it.

So is there some special trick to put axel in all the way? I don't want to hammer on the axle, to cause more damage or pinch the new boots. All the videos and instructions seem to indicate the axle should slide right in.

Please help, I have been working on this 1 axel for last 3 nights. I need my X5 back