I have a 1972 Ford Mustang, 351C-4V. I just finished swapping out my rearend gears on the Traction-Lock differential (went from 3.25 OEM to
3.89 Richmond). Pumpkin is back in and I was able to get the right- rear axle shaft back in place with no problem. I cannot get the left- rear (driver's side) back in. The wheel bearing sits out of the axle housing about 1/2 inch and will not seat all of the way. The axle splines (28-spline) are engaging the differential splines as I feel it and I can rotate the pinion with the axle shaft, but it feels as if the axle shaft is bottoming out on something when inserted. Don't know what it is.I've tried pounding it in with a hammer (to be sure that the bearing just was not seating properly in the housing), and I then tried pressing it on with the bearing retainer plate with the bolts on the brake backing plate, which simply ended up bending the bearing retainer plate (which I now need to replace). This is driving me nuts. Like I said, the right-rear (passenger side) went in with a breeze, but I cannot get the left-rear to seat in there. What can be holding it up? Anyone ever have this problem? I did not inadvertently swap the axles (left for right) because I kept track of them since removing from the car.