1991 Toyota Camry replacing the drivers side half axle

Hi,
Just a little help please.

[First the end of the drivers side half-axle broke/sheared off, from where the c-clip was]
After the tow home I replaced the half axle. It 'popped out' after the first turn.
I had tried to push it in from the ridges around the inner cv-joint and also tapped the axle nut slightly while it was threaded only a few turns onto the 1/2 axle {with everthing back in place}. It seemed like it was in. With the one wheel off of the ground in Park the axle wouldn't turn. Obviously it wasn't all the way in.

How do I make sure that it is all the way in?
Should I push the half axle in with the transmission in Nuetral or Park?


Thank You,

Brian Skinner