One thing I've learned from my ORDEAL replacing CV shafts!

that's what it's supposed to do. the inner joint soaks up the suspension travel.

But...but..I mean, it SEPARATED! Making the new shaft useless!

I pulled the old shaft out with no problem!

How bad did it come apart? Unless you tore the boot it should just pop back in. I have never had an inner cv come apart and not just slide back together easily. I pull them apart on the tulip style ones to make them easier to handle as they come apart real easy.

Um, since I had never replaced one before, I thought it was ruined!

I think I see what you're saying: the inner joint is like a fork, and allows the shaft to slide in and out a bit...(?)

That way as the suspension flexes, it allows movement of the shaft with the hub.

I'm not sure what you mean by like a fork but this is a diagram of an inner cv. And yes they soak up all the shaft movement.

But your right about being careful on full lock. IF you drop the clutch on full lock there is a 90% chance the outer cv will pop apart.