Front drive train

1998 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
115,000 MILES • 2.0L • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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RICH0205
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Just finished replacing both lower control arms and tie rod ends and went to test drive but the axles wouldn't engage and all I heard was gear grinding. I think when I was installing the lower control arms that one, or both of the axles slipped out of the transmission?
Obviously I need to pull some of the parts back off to reinsert the axles, but not sure how much or which side?
Jul 9, 2019 at 10:59 AM
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KASEKENNY
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hi Rich,

It is unlikely that they slipped out. I suspect they or one of them did not get fully seated when reinstalling because I assume you pulled them out when doing the control arms? You should not have had to remove them from the transmission but you would have had to pull them from the hub/rotor side.

I attached the manual on this portion of it. Let me know if I misunderstood something and I will be happy to reevaluate.

Either way, I think the only way you are going to figure it out, is to pull it back apart and see what is not seated properly.
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Jul 9, 2019 at 4:55 PM
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