I bought a lumina with a "bad tranny"... well today I pulled the cradle and found a broken CV joint. I guess that explains why it wouldn't stay put in park (open diff), and why it wouldn't move under power... I guess that could also explain why it was whining/grinding/clicking when in drive or anything else. There was no noise in park, but as soon as it was in any other gear, it made noise until it was shut off.

Sounds like a broke half axle. I have had cars become completely useless due to this.

Yup. A broke CV joint will immobilize a car and cause all of the things you are describing.

On the plus side, if you go it really cheap because of the "bad tranny", then you got a great deal since CV joints are much cheaper than a new transmission.

Now I have an option of do I continue with the tranny replacement, or put it back in with new axles and hope it's good???

The transmission is only $99 but I have to pull it out, and it has 99k miles... (Still, 20k less than the car)

When you do the tranny wouldn't you do the new axles as well?

Brad

Yes, the options are: new axles and slap it back together or new axles and new (used) transmission.

If that is the case I would put new axles on it, and see if it works. If it doesn't then drop the cradle again. Your out a few extra hour at most, and save 90 bucks.

Brad