Thanks for your replies. This is the old shaft that I am reinstalling after I swapped out the clutch...and I can't believe just this part is taking as long as putting the trans back...The passenger-side shaft went in without problems after a few struggling slam..

Funny thing is the honda dealers laughed at me when I asked for this special order part...they said nobody would replace this part as it does not wear out...but the Haynes manual and the Honda Service manual do suggest replacing this set ring though...

The same thing happened when I asked for the spring pin at the shift rod....you know, the one you punch out and then the shift rod separates from the trans...