1988 GL , 1.8
 

Ok. Put in a new clutch, spark plugs, cap, rotors, pads, front CV axles and lower ball joints. Have car on a lift. When I start the car in neutral (manual trans) and it’s in FWD there is a hellaciously weird sound, almost sounds like grinding to me and when I grab gears axels are not spinning. When I shift into 4-hi the sound goes away ( although when I put it in 1st gear etc no axels spin). When I shift into 4-lo the hellacious sound is still gone and when I grab gears all axels/wheels spin. 
 

none of this was happening before. Car drove great other than third gear slipping hence the clutch job. I’m really at a loss here. 

Edited December 13, 20214 yr by Clarktar
Added CV axles to replacement parts

Just an attempt to be more clear. It grinds when in FWD and not gears seem to engage (1st-5th). In 4 hi there is no grinding but will not grab any gears (1st-5th). In 4low there is no grinding and it grabs gears (my wheels spin and spin faster as I move up gears). 
 

this is all being done on a lift. 

Did you remove the engine or transmission to do this work? No part of the axle is spinning? like, maybe just the inner cup.....

Pulled transmission. But axels spin when I select 4-lo

Ok. Fairly certain something is good ng on with linkage. I slammed the 4wd selector lever down hard in FWD and the noise went away and I was able to grab gears no problem. After a few minutes noise came back. 

But I don't see any way to adjust linkage....

 

Found a bolt that went through a small slotted hole holding up the linkage. I was able to loosen bolt and get about 1/8th inch movement of entire linkage assembly. Everything shifts as it should now! Time to go jump it. 

Edited December 13, 20214 yr by Clarktar