Bolt against flywheel?

thespoiler

thespoiler

Junior Member
I was putting a new radius ball kit in....in putting in the new bolts in from hole, i had a string tied to the bolt through the cotter pin hole , it broke and the bolt has fallen forward toward the flywheel. I don't know if it has gone under the flywheel or lodged against it....I can not get my finger in far enough to move it...Is there a solution for this dumb thing I did?
 
Spoiler,
As Ray64 stated, try a magnet. If you have a Home Depot near you, they have a good selection of small magnets you can place on the ring gear. Then use the crank to rotate the flywheel and hopefully the magnet(s) will pick up the bolt.
Good luck,
Ed
 
The bolt you lost is fairly a large one. I would think you might be able to see it from the inspection hole in the clutch housing. If so, a telescopic magnet on a stick shoould get it out.
 
Ouch...You might also try removing your starter and then using a magnet on a spring from NAPA or another parts store...The space makes it easier to fish around to find your bolt. You might be able to see it with a little mechanic's mirror and a flash light...Good Luck...Ernie in Arizona
 
Some bore scopes even have a magnet that attaches to the cable end so you can snag the bolt when it comes into view.
 
It is hard to get a magnet attached to a cable even close because the surrounding area is iron. I would try a magnet on a telescoping stick through the hole where you lost the bolt.
 
I've done what Ed suggested, remove the starter, place the magnet on the flywheel, remove your plugs, place it in neutral, and turn the engine with the crank. As the magnet passes the bolt, it will pick it up, then keep turning, and when it gets back to the starter mount, reach in and take them off the flywheel.
 
Same thing happened to me recently. I taped a 1-1/2" cylindrical magnet along the cable end of a 24" flexible cable pickup tool. I removed the starter and fished for the bolt through the starter hole. I kept the cable & magnet against the side and bottom of the bell housing. After a few attempts, I captured the bolt.

It felt like the magnet wanted to get stuck at the bottom of the bell housing a few times. I suggest taping the magnet & cable end-to-end.

When I was installing the bolt, I used the claw on the pickup tool to hold the bolt head. I placed a light on the floor under the radius ball housing to see the bolt hole better. I removed the clutch inspection cover and was able to place the bolt directly into its hole. I found this method is far better/easier than trying to place bolt through bottom of ball housing.

Had everything back together soon after. Hope this helps others.
 
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