Defender 110 rear half shaft replacement problem .

Hi All , I accidentally popped the rear near side half shaft after I had checked and adjusted the wheel bearing . Any suggestions as to how I can get it back in ? It's sticking out about five inches and I keep meeting solid metal as I try to push it back in . Any tips much appreciated , thank you .

Dont smash it in. Rotate it until it slots in, sometimes have to lever it up or down a little

Gently wiggle it about whilst rotating it and the slots will line up and it will slip in - ie wot @bankz5152 said ...

That's the longer half shaft too, so a little more awkward to line up as longer means heavier at the far end. As has been said, you need to lever it up to get the shaft lined up with the centre of the diff and rotate it so the splines line up and it slides in.

bear down on your end to keep other end up and twist and push a bit it will go back in

Thanks to all for the advice , just the slightest downward pressure and it slid into place .

It will be easy next time.