I changed the tranny fluid today and in the bottom of the pan I found a little plunger thing. It is a half ball that is hollow on the ball side and has a stem about 1 1/2in long on the flat side. Also there is a o-ring on the circunference of the ball just before it is cutoff to flat. It is made of a tannish plastic.
Any idea what the heck this is and if it is part of the tranny or if it was dropped in during production. Very bizarre! The thing shows no wear at all on it or the o-ring.

 

I read somewhere that they use a plug or something like that on the trans dipstick tube when it is installed at the factory. Once they put the stick in the tube, it pushs the plug into the bottom of the pan. Not sure why they do it....

Can anyone else confirm or remember the post?

 

I had an 86 F-150 and found the same thing when I dropped the pan. Ford gave the same response as StongWind.
So! Nothing to worry about.

 

Thanks for the response guys. I posted the same message on the engine board as well and 5 other guys there confirmed what you guys are saying, thanks again!

 

I believe it is not just Fords that have this. In fact, next time you guys dump your used transmission fluid at your local lube shop, take note of how many of of those "plugs" are floating around in the used fluid container.
GDG