ford 860 shattered pinion gear

[cbrake]

The starter pinion gear shattered on our 860. Were able to find one of the teeth, but the rest of the gear is still in the clutch housing. Is it OK to leave the what is left of the pinion gear in the clutch housing?

 

[Bern]

I wouldn't take a chance on that. If you point the tractor downhill it might get wedged between the clutch/flywheel and the bellhousing, and that might not end well. Maybe you could fish it out through the starter hole with a strong magnet.

 

[Sean in PA]

You could also try pulling the inspection plate on the bottom of the bell housing where the hole with the cotter pin is. You should be able to get to more through there than through the starter hole.