well i got a new axle for my 88 hatch and the end that slidesinto the trans and clutch doesnt seem to want to slide in and theres no real way to put pressure on it, any suggestions on how to get it in?

 

Are your splines right?

 

all my splines are right, ive had to return 3 axles so this one is right for sure. my hubs going on and both sides are sliding in but the trans and clutch side doesnt seem to want to slide alll the way in like its sticking on the clip at the end.

 

Is there a clip on the end that goes into the trans?

 

theres a grove in the end of the axle wheres thers a c clip thats supposed to lock in when it gets in the trans i guess?

 

take it to someone who knows what they are doing

 

use a pry bar (thick slotted screwdriver thing with the slotted end being at ~45º angle. and push off where the LCA mounts on the rear cross member. you have the other part of the pry bar pushing on the CV joint right next to the spline. it pops in really easy without much effort usually.

EDIT: just make sure you have the right axle that matches your transmission.

 

I had trouble with mine as well. but I used a 2x4 that was sanded down at the end wrapped it in a cloth and hit the part where the boot meets up

 

When it is partially in and feels like it cant go any further you need to compress the cv joint as much as possible, try pulling it into the trans giving it quick sollid jerks. Yea yea sounds wrong but it works just make sure you have safety jacks so the car doesnt shift and fall on you.