weird transmission vss problem, what do you guys think?

[virus77]

I have a cable driven vss unit (pathfinder rwd) in the car do drive my original dastsun speedo. The shaft with the gear on it broke in half so half the speedo shaft and the speedo gear fell into the transmission. I cant access it through the drain plug since the two areas are blocked by a plate and I can't get to it from the VSS hole. I really don't feel like opening up the trans to get it out but im affraid it might cause a bigger problem. On the other hand before I checked the vss I assumed I had broken the cable so I drove around two days with the little guy hanging out in the trans with no issures....yet. Should I risk it or pull the freaking rear cover off the trans. It seems as though the smaller gears are near the bottom rear of the trans so I was thinking it might have enough clearance to just kick it there. I haven't checked if I can access it through shifter but it seems unlikely.

I just want to drive the car for a few days without putting it on jackstands for upgrades or fixes, is that too much to ask.

[240z4u]

Wow, that really sucks. So, there is no way to figure out where it is? Mine is the z31t trans and the speedo gear is driven off the output shaft.

Gut says retrieve it. Can you get to it with any sort of magnet? I forget if its SS or not.

[virus77]

Ya its almost impossible to get a look in there. I tried using a magnet on a hose, a bent welding rod, a wire... you name it. It sticks to everything except the speed sensor. On top of that more than half the sensor is a plastic wheel so the odds of grabbing the shaft are slim to none.... i tried for an hour. Such a waste of effort this is gonna be.

Does anyone have a pic of the rear section removed on the trans? id like to get a look at it before I decide on taking it apart.