The Dodge Challenger Message Board

I have a question for Transman or Dave...I accidentally dropped the park rod to shifter shaft circlip (on the valve body) into the trans. Its upside down, out of the car. No amount of coaxing, compressed air or magnetic assistance can get it out, so it must be stuck somewhere in the top. If i remove the front pump assembly, will that give me a clear view into the body of the trans? if yes, Next question is... IS it easy to remove or do i need a special tool or puller? I noticed the two outer holes are threaded - they look like they are used for a puller?

This is the second park rod circlip i've lost, very annoying.!

Pulling the pump out will only give you access to pulling everything else out. Total strip down I fear.

But its not that bad. The innards kind of come out in units.

Yes you put two bolts in those holes with a chain and pull like mad to get the pump out.

ta Dave, yes, when in doubt, read the manual. I should have done that in the first place, to see that it is a huge job. The box needs pulling apart and rebuilding anyway, i'll just get another circlip and put it in.

Hopefully the circlip will work its way down into the pan and your oil pan magnet will pickup it up, if not, the oil filter will prevent it from going past it.
Chains and bolts are ok I guess, but in most transmission shops they use a slide hammer (yes similar to the one for pulling body dents out) with the proper adapters for pulling most pumps.
If you want to look at the website of the Company I worked for until retirement, in the tool section they show this type of pump puller. Their web site is www.tcsproducts.com.

transman

Thanks for advice Transman - yes i have since been told chains and bolts and a block of wood and a couple of bolts in the other holes a few threads in to stop it killing you on the way out. I got another circlip today from a nice fellow in a trans shop. I tried flushing out the housing with turps (its going to be rebuilt anyway) and a magnet on a probe, but no luck. I don't think it would do any major damage anyway.

Its just an amazing thing to me that such a small piece of equipment as the auto trans, can handle such enormous amounts of power. Magic design, whoever thought of it and designed it. I can see why they are so critical with heat damage -such a compact space and lots of work to do.