Bad halfshaft ? I hope.

[pete c]

Just got done this afternoon replacing the driverside halfshaft. The ABS ring was cracked and the boot had a rip. I also did new rotors and pads. Anyway, got in her and headed to work tonight. All seemed well for the first ten miles, then, as I was shifting into fifth, nothing. Tried fourth, third, second, first. Nothing. As I sat there on the side of the road, I can row throw the gears without engaging the clutch. It only grinds a bit when I attempt to put it into reverse. The shift linkage feels OK. Would a bad halfshaft cause such a problem? I would think that I could not shift clutchless as I am able to. HELP!!! Could I have screwed something up taking the halfshaft out?

 

[MeShoHorny]

Take a look under the car, I bet you will find that the half-shaft popped out of the transaxle. Don't rev the car without load on it or you can say bu bye to your diff.
HTH,

 

[pete c]

I was thinkin' that could be the problem. I thought I felt it pop in when I installed it, but, maybe it didn't get all the way in. As for the dif, reving a posi dif will smoke a clutch, but, I doubt it will hurt a stock one.

 

[pete c]

that was it *****, I thought I had it seated properly the first time, but I guess it wasn't. It should be OK now. I have a slight bit of play when I pull/push on the half shaft. BTW, what are the odds that I spilled a bunch of tranny fluid driving it with the shaft improperly seated. I was gonna flush/refill it soon anyway. Looks like today is a good time to do it. Any recommendations on tranny fluid brands would be appreciated. I've heard good things about Lucas products. I think I'll use their's.

 

[projectSHO89]

pete,

Pretty good likelyhood that you lost up to half of the tranny fluid.

Better top it off before moving the car.

Steve
89

 

[pete c]

too late for that. Drove it home this morning, about 15 miles. No nasty noises from the tranny.....yet.

 

[blackcurrant]

Don't worry about driving 15 miles ....i drove my car for about a month under the same condition (fluid drained thru axle seal) and it's fine. Top it off asap but don't worry about 15 miles...it's not an ATX. thumbs_u

 

[pete c]

black currant, yeah, I hear ya about the atxs. damn things blow up even with fluid in them!!! whereabouts in n.e. ct are you? got any 2nd gen black parts on ya? I could use a new bumber cover, rear trim pieces.