Box of rocks doesn't sound encouraging. I suspect you have a bearing going or a bolt has come loose and a shim or shaft is rubbing somewhere.
If you value this trans, it might be worth tearing down to see if you can find what is going on. If you prefer to find a replacement, I'd just run it till it breaks or gets clearly near breaking. I avoided tearing into these transaxles for a long time until I finally did it. Now I think it is no big deal. If you have the factory manuals, the procedures are kind of out of order but it isn't difficult to disassemble. I'll bet I could have one apart in 20 mins after having done it once or twice.