Hyundai Repair: Hyundai Transmission Reverse Bolt, drain bolt, elantra gt


Question
While helping a friend replace the clutch in his '02 Elantra I apparently removed the wrong bolt from the tranny to drain the fluid. Unfortunately I didn't figure that out until I was done with everything & all I had left to do was replace the drain bolt. Except, it wouldn't go back in. I have figured out that the bolt I pulled actually has something to do with the reverse gear, although I am not entirely sure what. Am I going to have to remove the transmission (again!) and do a complete rebuild now, or is there some way to get this bolt back in?

It is an '02 Elantra GT 5 speed, front wheel drive. The bolt I pulled is on the bottom of the gear box, apparently right below the actual drain bolt.

Thank you!

Answer
The bolt you've removed holds the reverse idler shaft in place.  If you can see the hole in the shaft through the hole in the transmission case, you may be able to realign it using a small screwdriver.  If not, you may be able to rotate the shaft with a sharp pick.  If this doesn't work, the only solution is to remove the transmission and disassemble it so you can realign the idler shaft by hand.