I'm replacing the right-side CV axle on a 95 Toyota Corolla, and I'm
having a problem getting the new one all the way into the
transmission.

The old one came off pretty easily, but the new one won't slide fully
into the automatic transmission.  It stops with a half to a quarter
inch left to go.

Hammering on the solid part of the axle close to the transmission doesn't help.

I thought that maybe the replacement axle was a hair too long, so I
tried to put the original back on and it won't go all the way in
either.

Is there a trick to this or do I need a bigger hammer?  :)

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Clarification of Question by flooglebinder-ga on 29 Jan 2006 12:51 PST

I've tried cleaning the splines and putting some ATF on as a
lubricant, and I've also tried using a little axle grease.

I've tried it with the trans in park and neutral.  I've tried it with
both wheels off the ground while it's in neutral.

The snap ring on the end of the shaft looked like it might be causing
interference somewhere, so I took it off and ground down the
protruding ends a little.

Still won't go in all the way.

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Clarification of Question by flooglebinder-ga on 29 Jan 2006 16:46 PST

I was advised to ensure that the ring clip on the end of the axle
needs to have the open end pointing down when the axle is being
inserted into the trans, so I tried that and it still wouldn't go in.

NO Hammering. Get some oil and place it around the axle, check for
blockage in the tranny. Is the tranny in gear, neutral? Is there a
ring to lock it in place? One good push should do the job.