replaced frame and mtx trans won't go

[shocommuter]

I sure could use some experienced help.... 95 3.0 mtx w/ 130K ran fine when it needed a frame replacement due to rusted out body mount so while I was at it I replaced the CV axles, strut rods, outer tie rods, bushings, etc. Everything went well although the car was up on blocks for 3 weeks while I tracked down all the parts. (I've become pretty knowledgeable about suspensions and bushings). Anyway, finally got all the parts back in, the wheels back on, and fired her up. The car sounds fine, but the car doesn't move in any gear when the clutch is let out. It seems to go through the gears fine while parked, and the speedo moves as if the car was traveling!

I did lose some fluid when I pulled the CV axles and dropped the frame under the motor and tranny that were blocked up. I added 2 qts of Mercon fluid before starting her back up again after the 3wks of inactivity. I'll admit I'm not quite sure the fluid level is right since I raised the car from the right side when I added the fluid and it wasn't level, but it seemed to be about the same amount I lost.

Got any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Mr Anonymous]

One of your axles isn't installed properly.

 

[windsormw]

well , i know that the speedo is controled @ the trans . And if the sppedo's spinnin and ur not moving ? hhhmmmmm,..................


any other symptoms . Does the clutch feel like it did prior ?

 

[windsormw]

is it posibble to put clutch in backwards?

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

is it posibble to put clutch in backwards?

Clutch disk, yes.

But that is not the case in Shocommuter's problem.

If the speedo is moving, then the trans is getting power from the motor. That means that the clutch is working.

I agree that one of the axles isnt installed properly. Youd think that it would make some racket though....

 

[masho95]

One of your axles isn't installed properly.

If the car didn't move at all would both axles have to be not in? Or will just having one out make the car not move? Just wondering.

 

[zhowell]

if one axel is out the car won't move. think open differentials transfering power from the wheel that grip to the wheel that slips (or in this case has NO resistance on it)

 

[Redskull]

isn't it a no-no to have both CV joints out at once?

 

[jelloslug]

isn't it a no-no to have both CV joints out at once?

It won't hurt a thing.

 

[F-22 Raptor SHO]

I will expand on the solution to your problem: I think your axles were not inserted all the way into the trans on 1 or both sides. Did you hear them click into place past the circle clamps when you pushed the axles in?

 

[shocommuter]

Thanks folks. A close look at the axles showed that one wasn't in all the way. The interesting part though is the reason though. Rebuilt axle was assembled with an incorrect shaft. The axle had ~34 splines versus the ~24 or so it was supposed to have. This meant that the axle wouldn't fully install.

By the way if you don't already know... a 2-jaw puller works great to pull the lower control arm off the strut rod if the 2 have become 1 in your car as they had in mine.

Thanks again