JessicatheJeep

Hello, So while i was changing my crankshaft position sensor, a socket fell into the breather hole at the top of my Bell housing... I removed the plate on the bottom of the bell housing but I cannot see/access it from there. Anyone have any ideas on how to get it out that doesn't involve me dropping my transmission? if so, that would be great. Also if anyone could point me to a different thread that has information on this that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

DFlintstone

OK..you did say "the socket". (you still have the bolts). And you have it in...

Good light on a new day, with a magnet would be my first thought, along with not starting it quite yet. A huge chance there is no problem, and a small chance there is a huge problem. Metal is not forgiving that way. Tap the starter just once or twice, jently, see if it falls. A magnet attached to a wire? I don't get what could keep a socket from heading down.

I would think the sound the socket made falling would tell me about where it was.

Bummer man. I'm sure THAT was fun!

Firestorm500

You could try rotating the crankshaft by hand at the pulley bolt and see/hear if the socket falls. If its too hard to turn, remove the plugs.

You can also get a bigger hole going by removing the starter.

Good luck.

JessicatheJeep

Thanks for replying guys. But I was able to grab a different socket and finish putting in the cps. I'll try out tapping the starter/removing it and rotating the crankshaft to see if i can get it to make it's way down. I'm sorry, but i don't know what sound it made because i accidently dropped my ratchet on my face so I was a little preoccupied... lol but thanks, I'll give these ideas a try today and post an update tonight

ET JEEP

A magnet would be a good try. Put it on a flexible hose and see if you can snake it in there for the search. Make sure the magnet is really secure so you do not lose it too. Also if you can borrow a borescope you may find it that way.

Something like this

JessicatheJeep

So I took out my starter and tried rotating my crankshaft but i still can't see anything in there. I had to start it to test some other things and i didn't hear any clanking in there, so I have no idea where it could be.

KJamesJR

I'm sure it's still in there. You may not hear it until you hit a bump and knock it loose. At that point, it could get really ugly.

DFlintstone

I had sort of wondered if a hose or pressure washer might come into play here, maybe knock it loose or move it. I didn't post that though because it's not really such a hot idea. I'm wondering if a supper bright light might help.. nothing beats a sunbeam off a mirror. (granted, dicey one, that)

Yea that has the potential to be pretty ugly. Or nothing will happen, or it might just "lunch" the socket, chew it up.

"accidently dropped my ratchet on my face "

Firestorm500

The OP's luck sounds about like mine.

DFlintstone

Hey now! He had a Jeep to work on, and a wrench to drop on his face! (beats the alternative!)

JessicatheJeep

Haha I'm glad it was the ratchet i dropped on my face and not the Jeep. I'll keep messing with it ans see what i can find out

cruiser54

I kinda like the hose idea. Spray from the bottom and shoot the socket up and away.

ET JEEP

Try hitting the housing with a dead blow hammer to see if you can hear it or knock it loose. Also if you can snake a hose in there attach it to an air compressor and see if you can blow it loose from where it is lodged. See if you can find a borescope. Then you will be able to see inside.

Are you sure the socket went in and did not just get hung up outside on the housing somewhere?

Firestorm500

"Are you sure the socket went in and did not just get hung up outside on the housing somewhere?"

That had also occurred to me. When the ratchet was hitting him in the face, he was understandably distracted.

Can you imagine pulling the tranny and have the socket fall out fall from the outside as you are lowering the tranny?

cruiser54

And landing in your eye...........