Need help! Dropped a socket in my fly wheel.

[OnTheVanagain]

I started a new post, original post was about questions on installing new starter. We then lost the hex socket while removing the upper bolt on the starter by the fly wheel. Then when trying to turn on the van when we finished we heard the socket bouncing around inside the fly wheel. Do I have to drop the tranny now? Changing the alternator and starter was hard enough.

[Vanagon Nut]

Is this a 2.1 WBX?

With starter removed, and if you're really lucky, you might be able to fish out the socket with a flexible magnet.

Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[Ahwahnee]

An endoscope / borescope is an inexpensive tool that is invaluable for situations like this. It will let you see just where the thing in located, some even have a magnet attachment though the flexible magnet described by Neil may be better.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trk...p;_sacat=0

[OnTheVanagain]

Thanks guys. I'll remove the starter tomorrow and try to locate it with a magnet. I tried looking for it all around the flywheel with a camera and light but it must be in the middles somewhere.

[DanHoug]

stick a large, round neodymium magnet on the outer edge of the flywheel as accessed thru the starter opening. then turn the engine over by hand while having someone watch in the starter hole for the magnet/socket to come by.

-dan

[OnTheVanagain]

I think it is jammed in there. The flywheel no longer moves at all.

[dhaavers]

If no joy with the magnet/scope, you probably only need to support & unbolt the tranny nose mount, then loosen the
nuts at the bellhousing. The socket should drop out as soon as the gap at the bellhousing is larger than the socket...

No need to fully drop the tranny...(crosses fingers)...

<shrug>

- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[OnTheVanagain]

Thanks I'll try that. That give me some hope. I do have to drop the transmission and differental pan at some point. They're both leaking.

[Steve M.]

What size socket and did it go through the vent hole opening on the engine side?
The engine does not rotate in either direction?
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[OnTheVanagain]

[Wildthings]

Maybe use a hole saw to drill a hole in the bottom of the bellhousing?

I understand the way to recover the brake band pin from a tranny on a Model T was to get all the young bucks in the neighbor hood together, pick up the car, turn it over, and shake the pin out. There is always a way.

[flameisley]

[SSWesty]

I think it's 5 bolts plus the shift linkage to slide the tranny forward an inch. It's not that hard. Someone here with a better memory may say you don't need to mess with the shift linkage if your just moving the tranny forward for a peek inside the bell housing. The deal is if you pull the tranny too far it will be loose which means you could stress or break a grounding strap, starter cables and clutch slave cylinder line if you let it drop. Just support the engine and transmission so they can't drop. The engine will want to tip down towards the front of the van. It's probably 45 minutes or less to loosen up the tranny and slide it forward. This will probably give you enough space to see where the wayward hex bit is resting.

[MarkWard]

[Jeffrey Lee]

As others have said, you may be able to separate the transaxle and engine just enough to allow the wayward socket to drop out.

When wrangling engines and/or transaxles around, I've found a motorcycle/ATV jack to be quite helpful.

You won't need the cute little wooden sled for your purpose, unless you intend to completely remove the engine and/or transaxle and then set it down somewhere else. The wide rubber-padded platform on the jack provides a stable base, the lift mechanism allows fine vertical adjustments, and the wheels allow rolling.

Good luck!
_________________
Camp Westfalia
Camping Tips • Newsletter • Cool Campervan Apparel
www.CampWestfalia.com

[61Scout]

Some borescope cameras come with a magnet attachment, if your'e looking to purchase one this would be the way to go.

As far as turning the engine over, if you remove the spark plugs it will be easier to turn since there's no compression to fight. At this point you could ever so slightly wiggle the engine back and forth until it was dislodged. After the socket was free then move on to retrieving it. There's not much point in separating the engine/trans without first being able to turn the engine over, imho.

-Kevin
_________________
1986 Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg, RJE 2.3
1985 Tin Top, Subie 2.2 + 5MT
Floppy Mirrors no more: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=653018&highlight=
Remove the front spindle nut with ease: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679567&highlight=
Remove the rear wheel bearing housing without messing with the big 46mm nut: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679507&highlight=

-Nec Spe, Nec Metu

[OnTheVanagain]

Update. I remove the starter that installed yesterday I can't find the wayward socket with the berescope I'm thinking I have to seperate the transmission. I don't feel ready for a job like this but oh well.

[Wildthings]

[OnTheVanagain]

[Wildthings]