Transmission Issue

[shadytreemech]

Experts, I need some help

Car: '94 Legend GS
Transmission: Automatic

Repairs Done:
1. changed out all four struts and replaced them with Koni's
2. changed out both front upper control arms
3. changed out both front lower ball joints
4. changed out both front inner&outer tie rod ends
5. changed out both front brake pads
6. changed out both front half shafts
7. bled all the brakes

The problem:
1. The engine starts fine (no reason it shouldn't)
2. Step on the brake and press down the thumb shift selector (rear brake lights come on and I'm able to slide the shifter into any gear)
3. I pull the gear shifter in R, N, D, D1, etc. - no problem
4. The problem is that the transmission does not engage. In any gear, R,D,D1, etc. the car acts like it's in neutral.
5. When I try to shift it back into P, there is grinding noise like gears are trying to mesh.

Question: I'd appreciate some thoughts on what I should check. I didn't touch the tranny while the car was up on blocks. Thanks in advance.

[shadytreemech]

I have found additional information about this issue. I have flushed the transmission and changed out the screen. When I put the car in gear the speedo tracks the speed of the gear. ie, when I put it in D it shows 75mph at 3k rpm, in D2 it's 50mph at 3K, etc. However, the car doesn't spin the wheels. It's like the tranny isn't locking the hubs. If I wasn't standing still, just looking at the speedo and tach, I'd swear everything was working fine. Does anyone know how the tranny engages the differential? Thanks

[shadytreemech]

Ok, I finally got the problem fixed but I'm almost embarrassed to post the solution. My initial thought was that I put a left side half shaft with the female spindle on the right side which should be a male spindle. When I got the car on the lift I found that the right side half shaft driving spindle was only partly in the transaxle. I didn't quite seat the retaining clip deep enough. I took the front wheel off, put a piece of wood on the spindle and gave four sharp taps. Problem fixed. For those who read this post and scratched your heads, I have to say that I've been working on cars for over 30 years and I still get caught with the details. Thanks to all, I appreciate reading all the things you folks have done with your Legends.

[OEM Bob]

Originally Posted by shadytreemech

Ok, I finally got the problem fixed but I'm almost embarrassed to post the solution. My initial thought was that I put a left side half shaft with the female spindle on the right side which should be a male spindle. When I got the car on the lift I found that the right side half shaft driving spindle was only partly in the transaxle. I didn't quite seat the retaining clip deep enough. I took the front wheel off, put a piece of wood on the spindle and gave four sharp taps. Problem fixed. For those who read this post and scratched your heads, I have to say that I've been working on cars for over 30 years and I still get caught with the details. Thanks to all, I appreciate reading all the things you folks have done with your Legends.

Did you do an alignment after replacing the lower ball joint? If you did not you need to do so.

Also how are the boots on the transaxle? Are they cracked?

Take care
OEM Bob