Steveshotgun

Needed to remove front half shaft, got it off OK, workshop manual says to replace in reverse order, to get off I used a slide hammer. At the diff end of the shaft there is a short length of spline, then as the manual calls it a circlip, its a split ring that needs to compress, then there's the longer length of spline. I am happy I have end section to slide onto the spline OK as when I turn it I can hear the gears turning, the question is how to I get it to compress the ring and then slide in the full length. If I follow the manuals do it in reverse I wallop it with a hammer, but, I don't want to damage the diff, any suggestions?

I pulled the rear axle half shaft as wanted to check bearing. For some unknown reason I took the abs wheel off and then refitted it. Since then ABS lamp on. I took the sensor out and there is a lot of grease on the wheel. If I take the sensor out an refit then go for a run the lamp is initially off then light up. I think I have either put the wheel in to far as not fully aligned with sensor hole, or the grease is not allowing a good read. Any thoughts anyone