Problem fitting steering drop arm!

[spy]

Does anyone have any tips?  I had the usual nitemare getting the drop arm off!  Ive done a few of these now and its always the same hell.  Thing is I have never had a problem fitting the new one.  It looks the same as the old one, spines ok etc.  I got it on the spines and pushed up a bit.  Usualy winding the but on will pull it up the splines but it gets about 6mm from the top and I cant turn the nut anymore.  I had a socket and a 3/4inch strong arm and its seriously tight, I didnt go any further as I am convinced I would strip the thread from the shaft or the nut. 

In the end I took the nut back off, put a socket over the shaft but up against the arm and a trolley jack underneath! I jacked it to the point it nearly lifted the car!, it certainly ectended the spings so was taking the weight of the engine etc.  As a last resort I heated the arm up while it was under that pressure!!  It still wont go over the shaft to the top.

Do I have a faulty arm?  Anyone ever had any problems like this?  I have just spent several hours and still cant get it on.  Its a £26 one from paddocks and its driving me nuts....

HELP!!  :D

[spy]

Nobody have any suggestions?  Ive gone with the faulty arm theory and ordered another one, fingers crossed for monday night when I try and get the new one on.

[tack43]

Have you thought about the previous one has worn and moved up the shaft. The new one won't go up so far as it's tight on the shaft?

Rich

[Range Rover Blues]

Did you know there are a couple of "blank" splaines called the master spline, so that the drop arm goes in the right place every time?

You did, then I can't think of owt else.

[Artwigwa]

Have you thought about the previous one has worn and moved up the shaft. The new one won't go up so far as it's tight on the shaft?

Rich

x2! The new arm wont go as far up the shaft.

Have you a pic of the problem?

[spy]

It seems it was just mis machined.  The replacement from paddocks went on (not right to the top as people said) but a damn site further than the other one.  Mines still probably not quite as high up as yours (one less thread showing on the bolt below) in the pic but its as high as it will go and it cant fall off so its looking like a result. 

Cheers folks!

Mike