I have tried for about 2.5 hours to get this thing to go in, and when I do feel like it slips in, I can only get it to within 1/8 of it seating, and can't push it in any further and the bolts are obviously too short to catch.

Seemed like a pretty straight forward job, but I cannot get it in, I'm at my wits end.

The manual says once you have it out, don't shift gears, it is in park now.

Any suggestions?

 

Hi. Put the transmission in "L" or low gear in your tranny selector and then try. According to the manual that gear has the least pressure on the spring loaded button and where you should be to change out this part. I just did this two days ago. I also put a shift of Vaseline on the o ring to make it slide in easier.

 

^^^^ What Herb Said^^^^

 

A picture of Huntington Beach pier? I grew up nearby and went to LQHS!