2003 5sp -140k miles- with transmission, clutch or possibly drive axle problems...

[techren]

So, as mentioned in the topic of this post I am having issues with my trusty Vibe. One day I was just driving down the street, minding my own business, when all of the sudden the car popped out of gear and the engine raced. [insert loud whirring/grinding sound] I coasted to a parking lot and pushed it into a spot. At the time I could not get it to go back into gear and it seemed like something was very wrong. Since having it towed to my house I have gotten it into gear and driven up and down the street. Then I made a sharp right turn and the wheels locked. My neighbor who is a "shade tree mechanic" thought it could be a bad drive axle. But how would that keep it from going into gear or making it pop out of gear???Truly am puzzled and fear its going to cost a small fortune to fix.Anyone have some suggestions, things I should look for? I may end up doing the repair myself to save money so I need to be sure what the problem is. May have to have a professional look at it. $$Thanks

[joatmon]

I don't know how a bad drive axle would pop it out of gear either. There seems to be a reliability issue with some bearings in the 2003 5-speeds, so I'd be inclined to suspect the tranny itself before the drive axle. which would be bad news, as a drive axle / cv joint is easier and cheaper to replace

[techren]

My thoughts exactly. Thanks for the input joatmon.

[dragon64]

A MTX popping out of gear usually a sign of mechanical interferance that does not allow for the gear to fully engaged and lock "in gear". In many transmissions this is usually caused by either a bent internal gear change fork or rod or a worn part with to much end-play or low fluid levels causing a syncro to wear and the brass/bronze shaving collect around the shaft journals creating a muddy paste blockage.