Help Important Transaxle Question

[AlexSza]

Hi, long story short, in attempt to remove the driver side drive axle the lock ring over the splines that insert into the transmission got pinched and tore off of the axle spline and I watched it fall into the gear hole. Ive tried to retrieve it with magnets, bent pliers and looked through the drain plug, no luck. without ripping my transmission in two, I need to know if this is dangerous to keep in there. The answer may be obvious but if its at the bottom will it hurt anything or potentially move around, never heard of this happening before...

 

[AUTOMODSGST]

man for my little experience taking apart transmission looks to me that you are going to need to get it out out of there some how or taking your tranny apart here are some pictures of where the clip could be, it felt in between the 4 spiders gears and it probably felt all the way down to the bottom of the case

 

[AlexSza]

thank you for your help! Am in the process of possibly just dismantling it. are there any certain gears or trinkets that i should be aware of while pulling it apart? Like for instance something coming loose and falling out or getting misplaced when putting back together.

EDIT:
IT HAS BEEN REMOVED WITH SOME GEAR TURNING AND ON A BENCH WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT OUT.
The ring now looks like a { ,

Another question, are the rings really necessary on the cv shafts? The other lock ring on the passenger side looks like it has expanded and could possibly do the exact same thing if removed again in the future.

thanks!

 

[AUTOMODSGST]

that's awesome that you got it out if I'm not mistaking they sell them at the auto parts (the clips) you need them there if you don't install them your axles will come off, they are there to keep them in place