Back up on Jack Stands, Ideas to pinpoint issue going into gear Options

[Alphaogre]

A few weeks ago I was going down the freeway and driving just fine, then when I exited and started to drive down the road, I noticed all the sudden it would not go in any gears, not down or up, and every time I tried I would get the horrendous grinding sound.

The clutch pedal felt fine so when I pulled over I looked under thinking maybe the clutch cable loosened so it wouldn't disengage, but that was all fine.

• I noticed I can get it in gear when it's off (all of them including reverse)
• The car starts when it's not in gear fine, then when I try to go in gear would grind or stall immediately.
• When I try to put in in gear and start it with the clutch pedal in, it would just lurch forward as if you were starting it in gear with no clutch pedal in.
• Its a side shift tranny, and I haven't had any issues shifting or noise prior to this situation.

My thought is maybe the throwout bearing? but someone mentioned maybe the main input shaft bearing?

Id like a better idea of pinpointing the issue as it's a decision to pull the tranny, or both the motor and the tranny.

As of now its back on Jack stands and waiting (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)