Originally Posted by
Jeff Wills
Well, it got that way somehow- possibly by getting dropped on the fork when the wheel was removed. I'd pry open the fork ends by wedging a couple big screwdrivers in between the tips. Be careful and only move them enough so the axle fits. I'd double-check the alignment of the fork ends, too- there's no telling what was mangled when they got bent.
so, turns out maybe there was a burr or something right at the opening. I just filed it a little and it went in. Although I did have to spread the fork a good bit.