When I got my non running 81 300SD, the flex plate was shredded. I dropped the transmission and here are some findings:

- the torque converter spins freely on the transmission.
- the inner front shaft spins freely.
- the yoke spins with the inner front shaft, not quite 1:1 ratio, not in park.
- the inner front shaft has about 1/4" axial play.
- if I put radial pressure on the inner front shaft while spinning, there are rough spots during rotation.
- I can't budge the front outer shaft by hand in any gear.

Has anything mentioned suggest that something internal to the transmission caused it to sieze? Are there simple checks I can do to test the transmission?

If anyone has a similar vintage automatic transmission nearby, I'd appreciate if you do the same things I did and note any different results.

Thanks,
Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD