peice of snap ring? found in transmission pan

[rick53172]

I changed fluid and filter on transmission and found a small metal object. Trans place told me it was a piece of a snap ring. I was also told that there are two of them inside and it may be able to be fixed by removing tail housing. Or it may be a R&R of trans to fix. My question is what am I looking for if I remove the tail housing on the trans? I have been in auto repair for sometime but I am not a trans man. The vehicle is a 1989 Dodge Dakota 4x4 automatic 3.9. Anyone with help would be nice to hear from.