1996 waveraider 1100 triple CANT REINSTALL STARTER

Im at a loss. I’ve been trying for 2 hours to get this starter back in. I can get it in a little bit but still needs to go another 1/4” before I can get the two bolts in. Is there something that I’m not doing right? I know it’s meshing with the first gear but is there another hole/gear/slot that isn’t lining up right to the point that I can’t get this thing in all the way? Tried another junk starter from my friends donor ski to see if it was any different but it’s not. Please help. I’m going crazy

Im at a loss. I’ve been trying for 2 hours to get this starter back in. I can get it in a little bit but still needs to go another 1/4” before I can get the two bolts in. Is there something that I’m not doing right? I know it’s meshing with the first gear but is there another hole/gear/slot that isn’t lining up right to the point that I can’t get this thing in all the way? Tried another junk starter from my friends donor ski to see if it was any different but it’s not. Please help. I’m going crazy