PPF - Diff Top mount won't seat

Technical Area Engine, Transmission, Exhaust etc
1

Hi there everyone.

Doing a DIY clutch replacement on my NB and I’m on the home stretch. New clutch in and gearbox back on. I’m now reinstalling the PPF.

I haven’t fully removed it, I’ve left the last bolt at the diff end in (loosely) so that I could swing it out of the way. I’ve got all the gearbox bolts back on loosely and all I need to do now is get the frontmost diff bolt back in before doing an alignment. When I removed it, I tapped the bolt upwards to remove the top cap insert and allow the PPF to move more freely. Now that I’m coming to reinstall it, I cant get it seated again. I’ve tried threading in the bolt and pulling it down, twisting to try and get the splines (for want of a better word) to engage and just pressing it in from the top to no avail.

Am I missing something blindingly obvious?

Cheers.

2

Have you tried tightening the bolt to pull the mount down?

3

Yes, tried tightening till it was tight and no movement :frowning:

4

Can you jack up engine or diff to move it

5

I think the Haynes manual says “whatever you do don’t remove the top spacer or you will have to replace the whole PPF” I’m just about to fit a clutch and I’m intrigued to see what this is about.
If you can get the spacer out surely it will go back in!