Small throwout lever spring

Ok gear heads, I have searched these threads and I need help. I have a 73 cj-5, with AMC V-8 and t-15 transmission. While driving, the clutch whent to floor with no warning. After looking, I found the small throwout lever spring, from inside the bellhousing, laying in the boot of bell housing. The throwout fork fell off bearing. Can't find were the spring attaches inside. Looks like the one end attaches to the fork, but I can't tell were the other end hooks. Has anyone done this without dropping the transmission and transfer?

This is what the spring looks like.

 

Are You saying that the clip that holds the T/O brg. to the fork broke? Or the spring outside the bellhousing for return broke. My computer will not pull up your picture.

 

Farmall, this small spring appears to have been inside the bell housing. If I can remember, it attached to the fork and attached to something in side the bell housing. The outside spring is the throwout return spring. This is a small spring inside. Sorry about the picture. My books don't show where anything attaches, it just shows the exploded view.

 

That's the spring that keeps pressure to hold the pivot ball in place. It hooks to the clutch fork, and to a small hole in the face of the bellhousing. You'll have to separate the tranny from the bellhousing to replace it. Make sure that your pivot ball is in it's place.

 

If you weld the ball and socket joint together you can throw away the spring and do it all from the clutch fork hole without too much effort. Been running that way since I bought mine almost 20 years ago.

 

Now that sounds like a plan. If all the spring does is hold the pivot ball in place, but I can't get the fork out of the side of the bell housing. Do I have to remove the stud from the bellhousing to weld?

 

yes the stud can be removed. The fork can be removed if you find that "sweet spot." Have tried this with both the stock fork and the aftermarket fork.

 

Ok, this sounds good. I will see if this works.

Thanks All.