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&()_% $#%$^$!!!Isn't there a saying about God loving idiots or something? I was able to getthe drive pinion out with magnet! Phew!!! I think I've been incredibly lucky.Where was it? Did you have to drain the gear oil to get it out of the diffhousing via the drain hole, or was it still up top where you could reach it viathe governor space?
It was still up top. I just inserted my telescopic magnet into the governor hole and out it came. Remember I had actually driven the car for a short time like this - as soon as it was clear that it was not shifting above first I went back home, but it was still about a five minute drive.
The pinion is extremely loose - I don't believe that my meddling was responsible; it must have been like this for years. I'll try Russ's suggestion of using a center punch to make the hole narrower. My local tool shop did not have one in stock this morning - they should have it tomorrow and I'll let you know how I get on.
Daniel
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