8-3/4 Auburn sure grip axle issue

Alaskan_TA said
The axles will engage the center section with or without the button.

The button can be an issue with green bearing use though.

Button is out, but the issue is that the axles are too short, not coming in contact with the button. With the diff out, axles installed I'm getting 2.625 between the axle ends, by my measurements on the diff, that's just enough to engage the cones, but not enough to engage both spiders.

Yukon Gear Rear Axle Shaft, 28.0 in. shows that someone has had a similar issue with similar length axles.
"This axle is not compatible with factory posi units that use a 2-piece side gear."