I was draining the rear end on my 1945 M. Once most of the oil (well, actually but the looks of it, oil/water), I found in the bottom by the drain a solid steel rod.The rod is 1/2" in diameter, 1 3/8" long. It is straight, solid and round. No grooves or holes in it. The ends are completely flat, but have a taper around the edges. The top 1/2" or so is slightly pitted and discolored, as if it had been rusty at one time. Because the pattern of a couple of the scratches, I would say it had had a pliers on it as if to pull it at one time. The end with the pits is slightly beveled down, like it had been driven in with a punch. It doesn't look to be sheered from anything. At first, I that it was the rod (which someone lost) from the gearshift. But this is quite a bit shorter. The only thing I can see from my parts break-down that looks even close is the dowels that allign the top deck. The rear end does not make any noise, and works normally. Is this just something dropped by the previous owner? I don't want to put fresh oil in it only to have to tear it down a few weeks later. What is it??? Any ideas? Thanks in advance. Jay
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