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82 f150 4x4 replaced the Manual locking hubs due to 4x4 not locking. Passenger side went together no problem. Driver side will not fit in deep enough for locking ring to engage in groove in hub. The old one fit perfectly not a problem it’s not bad at this time but wanted to change both instead of just the bad passanger side one. Iv replaced them on other veh never had a problem.
I have had this problem a long time ago, trying to remember what it was. Get a big screwdriver and shove in on the axle. See if it moves in, that may be holding it from going in all the way.
You also may want to jack the wheel up off the ground and then grab it and see how much play there is. If there is too much play in the wheel bearings, that might be a sign the spanner nuts that hold the wheel bearings in place are not placed correctly. If they are backing out they would crowd out the hub. That is how I got my first truck for $400. The 4x4 would not work. Turned out one of the hubs was not working, it was all chewed up on the back side because the spanner nut worked it's way out. Someone had not put it together in the right order and it had come loose.
Driver side will not fit in deep enough for locking ring to engage in groove in hub.
The groove in the end of the axle shaft? If that is what you are saying then you need to do what was stated in the previous post. Reach in behind the knuckle and push the axle shaft outboard.
I installed some Milemarkers awhile back. Details are fuzzy, but neither lockout would fit in the driver’s side hub - it was some sort of OD interference issue. Both fit fine on passenger side. Discussed with MM and they sent me another lockout that fit just fine.
Perhaps your issue is different but just posting for awareness.