Transmission help?

[elav]

I have a '98 Boxster with a manual transmission. I was driving it today and it was working perfectly. I was in 3rd gear and decided to give it some gas and the engine was no longer powering the rear wheels and I hear a slight grinding sound. The engine runs fine but I hear this slight grinding sound when I put it in any gear and try to disengage the clutch - the transmission doesn't seem to be fully engaging.

Can someone suggest how to start debugging this? I feel like the shifter cables are still in place and the shifter and the clutch feel normal. Is there something on the transmission that can become disconnected and prevent it from fully engaging into gear? My guess is the clutch went out but there was no indication that it was on its way out.

Thanks ahead of time! I did a search but didn't come up with anything.

[JFP in PA]

Check under the rear of the car to see if one or both axle flanges has become unbolted.

[elav]

Thanks - will do tomorrow. That would be amazing if that was the cause.

[Rob175]

Well????????? any resolution?.......Post your findings to help others.

[elav]

Holidays and rain have kept me from it - I'll post when I have an update.

[elav]

So I finally got to check out the car. The axles and CV joints look good. I had the car lifted on a QuickJack, put the car in neutral, e-brake off, started the car with the clutch in and engine sounds good.

When I released the clutch (car still in neutral and e-brake off) I could hear a slight grinding sound. Put the clutch in, I hear a slight grinding sound while it is going in and it was quiet when completely in.

I put it in first gear and same sounds. In the video you can see that the wheel on the driver's side didn't spin when I released the clutch with it in first. I was along so couldn't video the other wheel.

Here is a video: https://youtu.be/jtsn0kvZE-k

Thoughts? Throwout bearing? I'd love to debug before dropping the transmission so I can order parts.

[tcoradeschi]

My thought is that throwout bearing is not remotely at play here.

Given that, I’d suggest that you start asking around to find a competent transmission mechanic or a second hand transmission. Something is awry, and your question about throwout bearings leads me to believe this to be beyond your skill set.