T5 Speedo drive gear slipped back???

I bought a new T5WC and there is no speedo drive gear to be seen inside the holes where the speedo cable goes. A guy on another forum suggested that the gear has slipped backwards on the output shaft. He claims he had the same problem. He dropped the drive shaft and inserted a small steel rod into the driveshaft opening and was able to slide the gear forward.. Does this sound possible? The tranny is in a cobra kit car and you have to pull the engine and tranny out at the same time. Thats why I'm looking for s shortcut.

Dennis