Rear end rebuild pics... and I need some help!

[brakedust]

Well after a lot of faffing about and collecting parts, sending bits off to be shot blasted and powder coated etc I started the rebuild this week, been harder to get together than I though!
Lots of swearing etc.
Anyway, mostly back together now but I have hit a hurdle, I cant get the bloody driver side drive shaft back into the diff, the frame seems to be in the way.

Now I may have got them muddled up when I put them into storage (yes I know I should have labeled them) I know the drive shaft ends are the right way around as they have different threads, but unfortunately both of these were removed so not much help.
On inspection though the diff ends both look the same, but I have already assembled the passenger side and dont want to take it appart again if they are the same

Sorry for the war and peace!

[brakedust]

[brakedust]

So to clarify, has anyone had any problems getting a drive shaft back in? Are the diff ends different from drivers to pass side?

[ridds]

They use a circlip to retain them, from memory. Best bet is to drop it back out again. It is very easy to catch the lip Seal when refitting and that will cause no end of problems.

They can need a good shove to get in but that's all it should need.

[brakedust]

On the drivers side though the chassis is in the way a bit, so the shaft seems to be going in at an angle.
Are both drive shafts the same?

[jammy_basturd]

When I disconnected my shafts recently I recall the drivers side being very close to the chassis. I know that doesn't help you get it back on, but I don't think you've got the shafts mixed up.

[brakedust]

jammy_basturd said:

When I disconnected my shafts recently I recall the drivers side being very close to the chassis. I know that doesn't help you get it back on, but I don't think you've got the shafts mixed up.

Ok cheers mate, think I will whip the passenger side one out and just double check, pain in the ass but better safe than sorry.
Just want to be back on the road now with the weather being so good!!