M20 not wanting to go into reverse

[cwc]

I've noticed once or twice in the past year when I go to put my 67 ss427 in reverse it doesn't want to go,it's always when I first get in it. When I was leaving super car reunion it would not go into reverse at all,I figured I may have jerked it around too hard and knocked shifter out of alignment.i removed shift rod and would still not shift,I pulled trans,once on the bench it seemed to work fine,I went ahead and pulled tail shaft and found this tonight,this small ring was hanging out,I believe this was my problem,what purpose do these serve? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-7784-47302-image.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/08/full-7784-47303-image.jpg

[crash]

Anti-rattle, they cause more trouble than their worth, I never put them back in during re-build...

Hope this helps... Crash

[cwc]

Good to know,I'll just leave them out,the broken one was hanging out of groove.thanks

[earntaz]

Will only rattle (if rattle at all) when in the neutral gate anyway ... crash is right, leave it out. TAZ