Found this on my trans drain. Am I ****ed?
 

Changing my trans fluid and found this. How screwed am I?


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...e7fc9a68b2.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...2c70b01d6d.jpg

The shavings are normal, no idea where that little ball bearing came from. How long since last fluid change?

Thanks. Fluid was changed last year about 6k miles ago by a shop. I've tracked the car several times since and the trans works fine as of now. :(

I was gonna suggest. Could well be ball bearing material from failing bearing(s).

They fail and are the most common reason for needing a trans "refresh".

Although back in the day, they would've been 2nd gear pop for 01/02's.

I am not an expert here - but I did stay at a holiday inn express last night. And my first job out of high school was in a transmission shop.

Here goes: The ball looks like a check valve ball in an automatic transmission?

Or a ball bearing for a bearing. But I find it hard to believe that a ball from a bearing could exit without causing major damage.
In the case of a check valve ball, it may be possible that the ball punched through the metal template - and exited into the pan. What year, model and transmission type? Does anyone have a schematic of that transmission, and might be able to locate a check valve ball close to the sump that could bend it's "seat" and exit through directly into the sump?

Thanks. It's a 2002 manual gearbox. It was a replacement gearbox from many years ago after the original came down with 2nd gear popout. This current trans never had that problem. It still drove fine yesterday. Thanks again for the response.

The Ball Bearing Mystery Hour...

What an odd thing to find in your gearbox.

Yikes....

I'd probably just put fresh fluid in, drive it, and hope you don't have an "anomaly"...

Looks too small to be related to the pinion bearing or the like. It almost looks exactly like the 8mm ball bearing mod that we do for the detent. But it doesn't go there, lol.

edit: 8mm

I was thinking it might be a mis-placed 'pop-out mod' ball bearing as well, but thought it looked too small. Was the replacement transmission a Porsche factory unit? Third Party? Local shop rebuilt?

Replacement gearbox? Maybe someone just screwed up and the stray ball bearing luckily found the magnet. Or someone thought it was funny and simply put it there for you to find later.

I'm sure hoping that's the case!! Well the gearbox was replaced over 10 years and 2 owners ago on a CPO warranty. I'm not sure if it was a new or rebuilt unit that went in at the time.

I'm refilling the box now but I'm on the fence about test driving it when I'm done. Sigh...

Do these look similar in size?

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-turb...e-bench-2.html

curious why you are changing the trani fluid after only 6k miles? Are there any alternatives to the Porsche trani fluid? pretty expensive stuff here in Canada.

Man those balls took a pounding. The one found on the drain plug seems in perfect condition......