Even with the differential directly in line with the hubs, they didn't want to go in enough to get the bolts threaded. On the left side, I was able to persuade it by pulling on the shaft with my hand while hitting the outer (metal) portion of the CV with a rubber mallet. However, that would not work on the right side. So I took a 13mm deep socket and put the bolt in backwards through it. Threaded it in the hole and grabbed the protruding portion of the socket with vise-grips. That gave me enough pull that I could again persuade it with the rubber mallet. Once they were in far enough to thread the bolts, it was surprising how little force was required on the bolts to seat them the rest of the way.
BTW, I was able to do the job with the brake calipers in place, although removing them probably would have made it easier. Even at full drop, there was still a little slack in the rubber hoses. Maybe mine's longer than yours.
Anyway, the job is done. Thanks for the help, gentlemen.