I’ve recently redone the cv axles on my 98 coupe ej, as well as a plethora of other front end suspension parts. Everything went well I’ve got some new 4 piston calipers and coilovers, but I’m pretty certain my cv axle wasn’t seated fully. I’m certain the splines are in because spinning the cv axle will spin the whole driveshaft (forgive my terminology I’m used to rwd layout) from what I understand there is a retaining clip I need to feel click in. When I got it all back together and put it in gear to drive out I heard a very disconcerting grinding noise and did not move. Did what I do wreck my shafts? I’m back under the car trying to figure this out could use some pro advice

 

If you have an axle that isn't seated all of the way, it will be on the other side than your photo. The midshaft bolts on to the back of the block, so there is no "snap-ring" to properly seat on that part. If the inner joint of the Left axle isn't seated, you may still have the phenomenon where the car doesn't move when you place the transmission in gear and let the clutch pedal out... but that would only be noisy because the splines will not be grinding against each other. The male spline of the Right axle will be the dangerous one... because when the splines of the axle rub against the splines of the differential housing, the metal on metal grinding will create shards of metal that are now scattered inside your transmission.