Originally posted by JSmith:
The CV joints are sourrounded in rubber boots and they will contain any fragments that happen if the CV joint fails so from the outside there will be no visible damage.
The speed sensor that works the speedometer reads from either notches cut in the differential ring gear or a segmented magnet attached to one of the output shafts of the transmission.
From what you're saying it sounds like the clutch and gear box of the trany are ok. The problem lies between the gear box and the wheels. That is basically the differential, inner alxes, CV joints and outter axles.
Becasue the transmission has a standard differential all that has to happen to prevent the car from being able to drive its self is the connection to any one of the wheels has to be broken and the differential will automatically send power to what ever axle is easiest to turn.
If the differential itself broke then there would be no speedo reading at all so I'm inclined to think that the differential itself is ok. What probably happened is a spline where the axles attach to the differential failed, a CV joint failed or an inner axle failed.
my suggestion is to get your car to a transmission specialist with a good reputation and see what they find. You need to shop around a bit, talk to people and see if they recomend a shop, the one you hear the most good things about is the one you should go to. Although it will prolly be among the pricier of your options the chance that you'll get good, honest service is alot better than at a lesser renouned shop.
I agree with you entirely. I'll be doing all my own work, and a tranny swap doesn't scare me. I was also suprised at the speedo reading. It happened at 9pm and was dark and cold, so I didn't take a better look at it. Thinking more clearly now, I tend to agree with you that it is quite possibly broken somewhere along the axle. I'll take a closer look and let everyone know as soon as I can
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Matt
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