c-clip/axle/gear questions help?!?

so I (half) changed the rear end gears today. I got everything set up to spec... however there is a problem when taking out the c-clips... I had to hammer in the axles to get enough room for the c-clips to get out. (I replaced the seals, bearings okay) on the driver side that worked, but on the passenger side I had to pry on the speed sensor and still hammer on it... now the questions...

1: is there a simpler way to do this?
2: if I do the same to get them back in won't I damage the new axle seals?
3: why did 6 things have to go wrong with my first gear install????
(broken nut that holds in pin, then the c-clips, then the shimming was messed up, the pinion nut broke, now the axles won't go back in) , last time I do this...

well if anyone cares... I got it all back together this morning at work... I had to hammer the passenger side c-clip in at an angle but it went in.. the backlash is 100% accurate but the gear pattern was a little sharp... but I think it'll do... it might be a little bit noisy, but I can live with that. I ended up rebuilding the posi and it was weird but it didn't pop or anything when I was turning, and so far there is no weird noises.. I did the proper break in routine and everything so I hope it lasts... got the speedo gear in place and everything seems great.

so all in all it was decent, I got it done in about 8 hours (not bad considering book time is 7.5 and this was the first time).

So now I can join the 3:73 club (if there is one)

billfisher: no, no, no it's not noisy... I just said that it might be with the wear pattern I got. I used just the regular white "paint" (for lack of better word at my tiredness). I will be checking the pattern again when I change the lube in there (hmmmm... more friction modifier...) after what is it... 300-500 mi?

NX281 GT: I'll charge 1/2 of what a garage does ... but I might be a little far away for you lol...

CVGT: this is actually quite a simple job you just have to be very percise with the settings... or there could be trouble.

Now I did this without a pinion depth guage and very limited use of the magnetic backlash tool that I forget the name of... (Im sure the local parts store will lend one out)

On a side note, you know what... I got used gears (with only 300km's on them) for $20, a shim and crushbearing etc. kit for $40 and misc. parts for $100 (so thats $160 CAN$$) where if I bought stuff from my shop it would have been: $350 gears, shim and crushbearing etc. kit for $140, and misc parts for $140, then labour would have been $562, so I saved almost $1000 doing it myself and it only took me 8 hours MYSELF, so just remember that. I'm only a first year apprentice and haven't taken diffs yet.