I have a 98 Accord EX 2.3 and 5 speed. 280,000 original miles, second owner. I was making a right turn (slow) and heard a loud pop from the left side front axle area. The car had no more drive. I could shift it without using the clutch (bad). I replaced the half shafts in the last 300 miles. Engine runs fine. How do I determine a bad transaxle, or transmission,or bad axle? Theres no apparent damage under the car.
Thanks

 

Axle.

 

Both wheels turn with the car in gear and on jacks. Would an axle have an internal failure to do this? I'm an aircraft avionics maintenance mechanic and our rule is to go back to the last item you changed. (axles) How do I verify for sure?
I used cheap ****ty axles.

 

I didn't necessarily say an axle failed, just one or both axles is the reason why you cannot drive your car. It could be something as simple as one (or both) of the axles wasn't seated properly.

 

OK, Thank you. I'll check

 

How do I know for sure the axle is seated properly?
Should the intermediate shaft move with the car in gear and the drive axle out?
On jacks

 

Next step; take the car down off the stands, set your phone under one axle and the other set to record a video. Put the car in gear and record what happens.

 

Maybe easier is to try to move the axle (just barely) out from the transmission. Not enough to create an opening for the MTF to pour out, but enough to see whether it's fully snapped into place. Some people have said it can be difficult to get it to finally snap in. Did you install new snap rings on the stubs that poke into the transmission?

 

Yup, my Toyota did that when I replaced the drive axles. I used a rubber mallet to smack them in. It's been fine for over 9 years now. I guess it just needed that little bit more engagement.

 

Thanks for your help. The right axle was not fully engaged nor would it engage. Replaced it and seems to be ok now!