CV axle c-clip not engaging

[Aegeus]

Install of cv axle driver side after reboot and replacement of oil seal.

The axle seems to go in all the way. The frontal aspect of the oil seal is now impressed or dented by the forward edge of the axle’s dust cover. Neither the new or used c-clip appear to engage. The axle can always be pulled out pretty easily. An unidentified square steel bar, about 10mm wide, extends on a figurative clock, from about 1:30 to 7:30, within the transmission, beyond a meaningful gap. The gap begins at the point where the lands/grooves engaged by the axle end. After multiple attempts at seating the axle, nominal scratches, a pair of arcs, now appear on the bar. The marks appear to correspond to the end of the axle. So it seems the axle can go in as far as it will go, and that it has.

I’d appreciate any thoughts on this matter.

Thank you for reading.