Well, my '98 3.2TL, with almost 230,000 miles, final has had a major breakdown. I suppose after all those miles something had to give out.
I lost all drive to the front wheels when moving from a stopped position. With the engine running, if I put it in gear, I get a loud noise like gears scraping. When in Park, I can still move the car, but there is a pronounced knocking noise coming from near the differencial unit when the wheels rotate only a few degree's (1 2 inches of rotation). I can also feel the knocking noise through the wheels. I have had both wheels off the ground and verified that the differential gears work, so I think the problem is likely worn ring and pinion gears, or the secondary gear. It's not a single missing gear tooth because the problem occurs whether I rotate the wheels or the engine. I'll pull the extension shaft, to seperate the transmission and secondary gear from the pinion gear to see what turns, or doesn't turn, when I rotated a wheel with the transmission in park.
Has anyone had this problem? Also, does anyone know where I can buy or rent the extension shaft puller and installer? Thanks.

 

Finally got the car fixed. Turns out the problem was caused by a stripped spline between the transmission secondary gear and the extension shaft running to the differential unit. I finally had to take it to an Acura specialist (Supreme Auto Repair, in Clearwater, Fl).
I couldn't troubleshoot the problem myself because the 36mm nut which exposes the secondary gear and shaft would not come off. All I could work out was that the problem was somewhere between the differential and the transmission countershaft.
The Acura tech (Mike Mears) used a torch to loosen the nut. That's when we saw the shaft spinning inside the gear.
A used Transmission plus labor came to $1400. But at least the Xmission had only 84K milles on it, compard to the 226K miles on the rest of the car. Vehicle now runs fine. Any Acura owners who need an honest Acura Tech, go see Mike Mears.

 

mike have an email? i have a few questions for him for a 2.5.... no where near close to FL :P

 

I don't know about email. His shop is on Old Coachman rd. Near McMullen Booth Rd. If I find anymore info. I'll let you know.

 

Can't find an email address, but here is Mike's Tel No. 727-797-5552. If you call him, please let him know that Paul referred you to him, He was (or still is) a certified Acura Tech, and might know someone in your area.
Good Luck.