Rebuilding CVs, What a mess!! Options

[BK911]

I was all done, putting the final circlip to hold the CV to the axle, and noticed I did not put any of the spring washers back in.

FUCH!!

So tore them all apart, installed the washers, and finished 3 of 4.
Of course the 4th had to be a beyotch.
The circlip will not fit. The CV will not slide all the way onto the axle so the groove is only ~3/4 exposed.
All the others fit fine.
Pulled it apart, again, and cleaned all the internal and external splines.
Made sure no grease or whatever was interfering.
Pressed it back together and still wont fit.
So now I am about to pull the CV off the axle AGAIN, but not sure what to do except start all over.

Are the internals to the CV direction specific?
IOW, does one side of the internal star thingy need to be facing a certain way?
If so, how can you tell what is right?
I will tear the whole CV apart and rebuild and repack, but curious if this will be in vain.

Any words of wisdom?