I am putting together the 4WD on this 400 Scrambler that WAS a basket case. The shafts were thrown in the back of the truck so I can't see what it looked like before, yunno?

I was planning on just using a vice-grips to seat the keepers on the boots. BUT as checking things out as I go - I set the shaft in the housing before seating the keeper. Before I crimped it at all it already crashes on the strut housing. For sure if I vice-grip it won't clear. If I get the right tool will it seat down into the rubber enough to clear? Has anybody had to get the grinder out? This is a Moose boot kit if that makes any diff. Are the Moose kits faster than stock do you know? 5 MPH maybe? LOL!
Is it paramount that I use the proper tool? It's been 15 years since I have done a CV boot. But I guess I can figure it out again.

This side just needed to be put together as far as I can tell. Everything here seems OK. The other side looks as though it will need a new CV. Is this something that can be replaced? Or do I need a shaft too? I haven't got that side apart (one side at a time), but the drive shaft that's on the bench has the splined part of the joint still on it. Looks like a bad sign to me!