I dropped my front axle assembly and re-installed it without loosening the fork. The shaft does fit through the fork. But it is a tight fit and you need to get the proper angle to do so. And I had unbolted the lower ball joint and tie rod end to allow the spindle/knuckle assembly to pivot at the upper ball joint to get the shafts out. It worked, but split the rubber on the upper ball joint completely (mine were already partially split anyway). That said, the "proper" angle was a matter of manipulating the spindle and shaft until it worked out... can't describe it any better than that. Hope that helps... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />