Posted by scott56 [172.68.142.98] on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 12:27:14 :
I was reassembling the transmission tower and had it clamped in the vice. I was installing the center rail and had compressed the poppet ball and spring to allow the rail to pass over it. I guess i did not have the ball pressed down far enough and I did not have the strength to hold the rail in place while i picked up the appropriate tool. (Third hand needed) I heard the spring let loose and felt the ball hit my chest but did not hear it hit the ground. Of course I looked all around the ground at my feet but it could be anywhere. I started removing all the boxes, and parts stored under the truck and around the work bench and swept up an area far wider than where i thought it could have rolled to. I gave up and was resigned to have to spend $2 and wait a week to get it. I got the third ball and stated the process over again. low and behold, the missing ball was right next to the spring in the rail bore. I have place the end of a small screw driver in that bore in case the ball rolled out. The good news is I am at the age where these things don't get me furious. I have mellowed with age.
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