CV axle tulip separated from front diff

hey friends,

I've gone to two mechanics, where I've complained about steering issues and clunking when turning and they found nothing.

Was changing my oil tonight and noticed that the inboard joint tulip of the CV axle on the drivers is not completely flush against the diff like it is on the passengers side. I googled around and it seems like sometimes this can happen when turning in 4LO. I probably have driven over 1000 miles with it like this. Question is, could this have caused permanent damage to my differential? Is there a good way to tell? Will I be able to tell if the CV axle is shot if I pull it out?

Do you think the snap ring failed, or was it installed incorrectly? I went playing in the woods with the truck after getting a new frame and I wonder if they reinstalled it wrong, or if they even removed it to begin with. I installed new ones a few months before the frame install.

I'll attach a pic, if it helps.

Your help is appreciated.