If the snap ring seats against the housing end, each axle will insert 1/8" deeper than they are intended. The thrust block inside the carrier will preload and destroy the wheel bearings.
Cass, I agree it could have been the case with the previous center section (we did install the brakes before changing the diff).
But with the new one we bought from you (3.55 gears/489 housing/1350 yoke/Truetrac diff), we left out the thrust block. Axles should be spaced apart.
