Trans won’t engage

[Jeffro1600]

I’m new here. I bought a sand rail in October built from a ‘73 Super Beetle. It will be gradually getting love as tine goes on. I had it up on jacks swapping some tires. I lifted it straight from the back, so both sides were hanging down. I went to go for a test run today and trans won’t engage. Slight ‘grinding’ noise in reverse and 4th like it is trying to catch. Silent in 1-3. I checked the shaft from the shifter to where it engages at the front of the trans and tried to adjust it - the bolt is sitting in its hole and everything appears to be moving with shifter action. I don’t know what I could have done just by jacking it up. Prior to this the trans was fine. The engine smokes some and the Zenith 32 coughs occasionally, but other than that and some oil leaks, it was ok. Any ideas where to start without pulling the whole driveline out?

[Jeffro1600]

OK, I pulled the engine hoping that it was something silly with the throwout bearing, everything there was fine. I was preparing to pull the transmission and start to tear it apart, when I realized the passenger side axle is not really attached. The boot next to the transmission was torn loose on that side, and apparently when I had it jacked up in the air, somethings separated. I tried to remove it, but some of the bold heads are stripped out and I am going to have to slot them to use an impact driver. I am looking for a schematic of how the CV joint all goes together there. The silver lining is, I know how to remove the rear cage from my buggy and the engine now.