driver's side cv axle

Ok this may sound like a dumb question. I was replacing all my control arm bushings and all, my axle on the driver's side kind of got lower down than I thought it should have. Not pulled completely from front diff just seemed to hang lower. So I tried shoving it back into the diff and it acted like a spring in there. As I'd shove it, it would come right back. I went and put it in four wheel drive low and checked the other side. The passenger side was engaged and locked up. Driver's side turned freely. Went ahead and put the hub back on and all, no problem. Just wondering if it has a locker that only engages if slipage or did I let my axle get out of the diff too far. Not done working on it so not driving it right now. Please help me figure this out.

 

The end of the CV axle that goes into your diff has a ring on the exposed end of the axle. When you install the cv axle you should feel or hear it snap into place. Once snapped in you shouldn't be able to pull the cv axle out of the diff easily by hand. It sounds like that ring isn't engaged. Turn the cv axle by hand why pushing into the diff until it snaps and locks into place.

 

Thanks for your reply. After reading this I think I may take a bar and pop it out of the diff then do like you said and turn it until it pops in. That way I can hear and feel it seat in the diff. Once again thanks Trapperr. I've never mess with CV driveshafts.