'99 Eurovan TDI conversion & manual trans conversion: day 8

Bit of wheel spinning today trying sort out the L side drive axle issue.  The early T4 L manual trans. axle we got today all but fit, but in the end it doesn't quite meet my satisfaction (appears to be a smidgen short).  After doing lots of research with the help of my Russian colleague ;-), we determined that that P/N should also fit the later EV w/ man. trans. so we ordered another one of the same axles to try fitment again tomrrow.  We're hoping that the axle was mislabeled or in the wrong box, but we realize that might the odds.  In any case we have plan B and C- in place if this new axle doesn't fit the bill.  No pics today--CV joint grease is not conducive to photo taking.