Axle question, how to safely get axle back on with traling arm already on Options

[Tom]

Looks like I screwed up. While I had the trailing arms off, I removed the axles to check them out. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Thought I would leave them off until I got the trailing arm back on. I am doing this by myself and didn't think I would be able to align the axle, shock bolt and front of the trailing arm all at once to get it on.
Put the trailing arm back on and now the axle won't fit without removing the heat exchangers. They don't leak, so I do not want to mess with them. Don't want to remove the trailing arm either. I may have to do one or the other unless someone with more experience can straighten me out on this.
Is it possible to loosen the trans supports and drop the trans/engine a couple of inches to allow one end of the axle room to go over the top of the trans and allow the other end into the trailing arm?
Thanks,
Tom

[john rogers]

If the axle is complete it is a tad tighter but will fit. It helps to raise the rear of the car as high as possible with stands, then lower the rear of the transmission a few inches with a jack. Place the inner CV joint up into the space over top the transmission and then slide the stub shaft into the opening of the trailing arm. It helps to grease the threads and the splines and you might have to wiggle it some but it will slide in. The threaded part where the nut goes should go fully through and then hold it with the washer and nut.

If you cover the inner CCV joint with a zip lock bag it will help keep things cleaner.

Attach the inner CV joint loose on both sides and then raise the rear of the transmission back into place.

You can do this without lowering the rear of the gear box but the extra room is nice!