T5 reassembly question

[brap999]

I'm trying to get my tail housing back on my T5 and for some reason it's hanging up with about a half inch to go.

This isn't the first time I've had this tail housing on and off, but I've never had it hang up like this, and I'm at a loss as to what it is.

I had it all together, but like an idiot I forgot to put the offset lever on before putting the tail housing back on, so I had to pull it all apart to get the offset lever on, and now I can't get the tail housing to mate to the main housing.

Has anyone encountered this before and have any tips or tricks?

I'm wondering if it has something to do with the shift rod having gotten out of position. I had it in neutral when I disassembled everything.