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Central TX Bronco Club

A group based in Central Texas dedicated to sharing and enjoying what the Ford Bronco has to offer.
TyGuy40
Kinda in need of some help. Not sure what to do, so figured I'd ask the group.

Just the other day, I received the Redline Tuning Quicklift system I ordered to install on my 2DR Badlands.

It looked relatively easy, so I took it upon myself to install the Quicklift system, thinking "no way this can go bad...":cautious:

Got the passenger side done quick. On the drivers side, I removed the necessary bolt that needed to have a ball-point bracket installed on top of it. As I was lining up everything to screw in, the bracket slipped out of my hand, and either fell down into the driver side front quarter panel, or fell down the side of the front driver side splash shield, and may be lodged somewhere down there. Felt like such an idiot!

I know you can unbolt the fenders entirely, and remove the splash shield, but I feel way out of my element, and don't want to damage the Bronco. I drove around my block to see if I could shake it loose, and have looked ALL over the under carriage and through the hood. Can't even see it. But I know it's there.

Does anyone know a good shop in or near Austin that I could take the Bronco to, to get looked at? And maybe pay a professional to fix the bonehead mistake I made.

For reference, this little thing below is what I dropped.

I looked into removing the front driver's side fender (video), but still looks extremely intimidating. Especially since I'd have to remove the rock rails on the driver side to get the front fender off.

Anyways, any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

-T

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mpmcgaughey
mpmcgaughey
If you’re near Lakeway you can check out Hellabad Broncos! They can knock this out super quick!!
Contact
Contact
I'm not sure removing the fender will give you access to the part. It seems like the fender acts like a "skin" and therefore, not having an area for it to collect. Maybe try and get a cheap pipe inspection camera(approx. $20) and see if you can find it and maybe find a way to fish it out. There are some with a grabber attachment. Does it rattle? If not, and all else fails, buy this part and say "eff it".
TyGuy40
TyGuy40
@Contact haha, I did buy the part. It's coming soon. Just want to make certain this little bracket doesn't fuck up the Bronco. I added some more photos up top that shows where bolt is (that I was replacing) and where it could have fallen. But SO far, knock on wood, no issues.
Contact
Contact
Yep, I was afraid I would do the same when I installed mine(If it can happen, it will do it to me luck) so I stuck a rag there to prevent this. I really think if you could see down there and find it you could grab it with a tool to fish it out.
TyGuy40
TyGuy40
@Contact Tried using a magnet, tied to a piece of rope - thought this could do it, but the damn things is sticking to everything before I can even get it all the way down the panel.
bgautrea
bgautrea
Oh no Ty! You have any luck getting it fished out?

I got mine on but my worry was about dropping the bolt down there, not the bracket.
Stevo77
Stevo77
Telescopic magnet may do the trick… should be able to get one cheap at an auto parts store
Contact
Contact
lowes or HD or Harbor freight. Get a claw grabber tool… $10 at Lowes

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bgautrea
bgautrea
Ditto to what @Contact said on the grabber tool. Might could even put the magnet inside the grabber just so you can guide it better.

Not that I think it'd happen here, but certainly comes to my mind...

I had an Infiniti G37 that had the window smashed and my wife's lunch bag stolen from it up here in Cedar Park about 5 years ago. Brought it into Austin Infiniti to have the window replaced. They replaced the window but then we started hearing some rattling in the door. About 3 weeks later, we started to see dents in the door skin... coming from the inside! The rattling sounded to me like shattered glass just bouncing around. Austin Infiniti said, "ohh no way that's glass inside denting the door.... but we'll take it apart and make sure." Turned out that's exactly what it was and they ended up vacuuming the rest of the glass out then fixing the door skin at $0 to me.
TyGuy40
TyGuy40
Still have yet to fish it out. But thank you for the tips. I’m going to head to Lowe’s tomorrow to look for a grabber tool. The biggest issue is I just can’t see where it is. So it’s hit & miss. For example I don’t know 100% if it went inside the quarter panel or fell down into the engine compartment by the splash shield. But I will find it!
Contact
Contact
@TyGuy40. Get the Borescope. Very handy and you can get a decent one between $20 - $40. You'll use it again I promise you. It's worth owning.
TyGuy40
TyGuy40
@Contact Update, found it! definitely stuck in between the front quarter panel, and the engine compartment. Doesnt look to be near anything super sensitive, but the borescope was very handy. Now i just need to find a way to fish that fucker out of there.

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TyGuy40
TyGuy40
So, got the borescope, and sure enough found it! Thanks @Contact. Only issue now is getting the damn thing out of there. But it is clearly inside the front quarter panel. Doesnt look like it's near anything sensitive.

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