I had a bad wheel bearing on front of my WJ .
Carefully cut off the three fixings with angle grinder and knocked of the hub assembly >>> Looking good!
Offered up the new hub and find the half shaft/ cv has pulled out slightly and will not go back!
Pulled out the shaft all seems ok [The cv was new in September when the knuckle ball joints were replaced]
Offered the shaft back and it engages with splines and slides in but bottoms out with a very solid sounding clunk

I have lost about 1/2" 13mm of movement and the new hub will not enter the knuckle!!!!
Suspect that something in the diff has moved and is stopping the half shaft from going home.
What could it be?

?
I am reluctant to take off the diff cover as it is badly rusted and will probably not go back
Anyone able to offer an insight?
I will be very grateful !!
Cheers
Dave