[wajulia]

Yes I changed the half shafts and cv joints. I followed the service manual

Could both sides come out at the Same time?

the wheels are definitely rotating with the transmission in park -- that is how it came off the tow truck.

I agree that the repair is most likely at fault. I just can't imagine what would cause no drive at the wheels

 

[wajulia]

Do you get anything in reverse? 2WD or 4WD?

No drive or reverse. It is a front wheel drive

 

[wajulia]

Thanks
I would rather buy a new half shaft than transmission. I am out of town until next weekend, so I wont get a chance to tear into it again until then. I will retrace my steps and let you know I find, and I will be honest no matter how embarrassing.

Thanks for the feedback

 

[wajulia]

This is what I found. The drivers side Axle had come out. Pulled the axle and to my horror, I found the end of the axle had been sheered off. My stomach dropped, the other piece was in the transmission. I was sure I was done. But I fished the clip and the sheered off axle out with a magnet. The gods were looking over me.

Any discussion on how that might have happened? was it engaged just by the end piece while it was backing out of the transmission and it sheered off? still doesn't seem like it should have ever sheered like that.

the one on the left is the old one. the one on the right is the sheered off one (FoMoCo replacement part)

 

[wajulia]

Looking at the failed drive shaft, is it possible you didn't push the axle in far enough for the circlip to bring out to keep it engaged in the final drive.
As you then drove the car the drive shaft worked it's way out until the end of the spline was only engaged. As this part has a perfect shear point where the groove is machined for the circlip the drive shaft sheared when put under load.

I think that is exactly what happened. I put the new part in today. After I put the axle in, inspection showed I was still about an inch away from home. I am sure that is what I did the first time. A little persuasion and it popped in the last inch.

Car is driving nice, no vibration at any speed or load

Thank you all for all the help!!!