Trouble getting alpha lower in the upper unit
 

I'm a little stumped. I pulled off both my outdrives to do impeller changes and everything seemed to go well. I got one lower back in to the upper housing no problem. But when I got to the second one I can get it in almost all the, I'm about 3/4" from getting it all the way in.

-I made sure shifter "boot" is aligned with the shifter "shoe".
-The water tube is aligned with the guide tube and both the copper tube and seal inside the housing are greased.
-All bolts are greased and the shifter selector is greased
-I made sure there is nothing blocking the splined area where the main shaft enter, and greased that area.

I can get it in far enough to get the two bolts on the underside threaded, but when I start tightening them up they snug and the front part of the drive seems to stop 1/2" to 3/4" from mating the upper. I don't want to force it.

My arms are sore, someone help please! :bigbird: