I just went back and read your posts from last week.
I think I would drop axle and diff. together and get them on a bench where
you can have a better look. It went in there, it will come out. I
would have to second the notion that there is something in
the groove for the clip

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project