today my Daughter's 2000 Monte carlo with a 3400 made some clunking noises while turning into a parking space (her description of the noise)

when she came out of the store the transmition would not engage in any gear.


her son pulled it home for her so it is sitting in my yard now.

she obviously is upset it is her first car and she just got it.

well after asking a lot of questions and doing a brief look in the dark.

I found out the following. When she had it inspected 2 weeks ago the mechanic said the right wheel hub was going bad but would last for a good while.

I started the car to see if there was any kind of movement when cycling the gears. there is none

But the speedo accelerates with the gas pedal while in gear.

I know on some front wheel drives I owned in the past if an axle slipped out of the transmition just a little the transmition would not work till it was re-inserted.

if some one can answer this or point me to another trouble shooting step it would be greatly appreciated.

I am unfamilar with the monte carlo as i drive a 1992 camaro

thank you for any help you can provide

Jon

 

been a day or so still looking for an answer to initial question

Here is an update.:

2000 monte carlo 3400 with auto trans

Both front wheels in the air.

Put car in gear

Lots of clicking

very little but some rotation in both front tires

Left tire seems to have no significant side to side or top to bottom movement

Right side - significant movement both directions about 1/2 inch or more

removed right tire
visual inspection - Outer cv boot has major damage.

so to my original question if one of the front axles slipped out about 1/2 inch or less would it cause the transmission to stop working?

I have provided as much information as I have at the moment.

If I need to try some more trouble shooting or provide more information please let me know and I will do my best.

thank you

Jon

 

Jon...

Im thinking broken axle/s!

Or because there in the air (tires) no rolling resistance...
Thats why there barely turning!

But when a trans goes on one of these with no forward or reverse....Could be time for a rebuild...
How many miles on it?

 

thanks for the information went ahead now and pulled the right front tire.

you are correct, in gear with the tire removed you can clearly see the axle spinning but from the cv joint out no real movement.

so I am assuming a half shaft will get her back on the road

so another project for Saturday or Sunday just what I needed. but 50 bucks is a far cry better than a rebuild.

But to answer the other question about 130k so yes a rebuild is probably coming due soon. but maybe with some regular maintenance I can help keep her on the road a little longer...


I have a 1992 camaro and a 1992 starcraft conversion van and they both still are running on the original motors and transmitions..

Just wish it was easy to get it to sink into the kids heads how much and ounce of prevention can save you over time.


thanks again

will update once the half-shaft has been replaced.

Oh last thought

36mm for the axle nut? just a guess from looking at it


thanks

Jon