I think you hit the nail on the head. Sell the Mopar and go back to screwing up chevies. Yes, I am being sarcastic. Seriously though, take a good light and look down the housing to see if the splines are misaligned, or if half of the thrust button is dislodged and is sitting in the splines.preventing the axle from going in. Half a thrust button depending on how it sits could be about 7/16"......
Seriously, shake your head. They are all mechanical things, nothing is more confusing from one to another.
