OK, I got the lube plate straighten out as best I could and attached to where it won't move into the ring gear on the differential. I think it will stay in place; there is no pressure or anything on it so it should.

Now to install the trumpet. When I removed the trumpet I removed it and left everything intact. I am guessing that if I jack it up so the other wheel is off the floor, I should be able to get the spline on the axle to align up with the differential.

Looking for advice on how to proceed. I will be using a come-along attached to the ceiling joist in the shed; the same as I used to remove the trumpet.

I have done that job before, but I removed the brake drum, and the axle prior to removing the trumpet.

I got the trumpet back on today. I tightened the bolts but not torque them yet. It was a job for me by myself but I managed. I used a come-along to lift the trumpet. It was a bit tricky by myself to get the spline on the axle aligned with the spline in the diffy but I managed.

I guess I would be able to just spin the brake drum to get the spline on the axle to align with the differential.

I will be doing the same soon, glad to see our posting. Did you use gasket sealer on the axle to diff gasket?

No, I didn't use a sealant. I was told it was not needed. I did coat the housing surface and the trumpet surface with grease (I use to see Dad do that on these paper gaskets). If I see it leaking I will just redo the gasket and use a sealant. Now that I have done one it isn't so intimidating as long as you use a hoist of some kind to help with the handling. I used one of those platforms you see at Lowe's and Home Depot to sit it on and then I was able to scoot it out of the way.

I did follow the advice of soaking the gasket; but wet they are easy to tear; I had three of them (I got some extras from Just 8Ns) and I tore the first one I tried after soaking it. Then I let the gasket dry before installing the trumpet.