Sounds like a defective part, maybe.

Outer end is held in with a bolt, just unscrew. Watch for washers and make sure to put them back in the same way, they are NOT flat!

Inner end is just bolted to carrier, I believe, unlike the older ones that were held in place on the diff inside by spring clips.

Axle will compress enough to remove it from the diff and then the hub. Be very carefull not to pull the inner joints apart, you will have to have a new boot installed when it's taken apart to get the "tripod" put back together!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!