HELP !! Socket wrench dropped into driver fender (hood strut installation)

[stickshifthappy]

As the title states, I was installing Redline hood struts, and dropped the wrench into the driver side fender wall and wheel well.

It’s a tight fit working under the hood there, and it slipped out of my hand.

There is a gap between the actual fender and firewall behind the plastic fender well liner in the wheel well where it attaches to the firewall area

that was starting the day out pretty badly

tragedy averted !!

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[MLRey]

I use either a retrieval magnet or claw like the one in the picture. You can find them at hardware stores or Amazon. If you can see the tool you should be able to fish it out. A few weeks ago we dropped a bolt when changing the grill on my sons Ranger and it was nearly impossible to reach but once we found it we were able to fish it out with the claw.

 

[jonboy1225]

Don't have a confirmed solution for you, haven't seen my truck yet....

Just wanted to give you my condolences and congratulate you on Bronco hazing you into the unofficial ranks of mechanics everywhere. Not hearing the tool or fastener hit the ground is one of those moments we've all experienced, you're one of us now!

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In all seriousness, loosening up the plastic fender liner would be my first method of attack before even thinking about loosening anything with paint on it.

Before doing anything though, bumping your fist around the liner will hopefully make the trapped tool jiggle and you'll feel/hear where you need to zero in on. Often just loosening the liner will give you enough movement to bounce it free with gravity helping.

Also worth noting, a cheap telescoping magnet is your BEST friend in this scenario.

Good luck, hopefully with little disassembly!

 

[stickshifthappy]

Yes there’s a gap behind the plastic well liner !!

tragedy narrowly averted !!

 

[RustysBronco]

As the title states, I was installing Redline hood struts, and dropped the wrench into the driver side fender wall and wheel well.

It’s a tight fit working under the hood there, and it slipped out of my hand.

There is a gap between the actual fender and firewall behind the plastic fender well liner in the wheel well where it attaches to the firewall area

that was starting the day out pretty badly

tragedy averted !!

Another 10mm bites the dust

 

[Pdshepherd]

Yes there’s a gap behind the plastic well liner !!

tragedy narrowly averted !!

Did same thing !!

 

[stickshifthappy]

I use either a retrieval magnet or claw like the one in the picture. You can find them at hardware stores or Amazon. If you can see the tool you should be able to fish it out. A few weeks ago we dropped a bolt when changing the grill on my sons Ranger and it was nearly impossible to reach but once we found it we were able to fish it out with the claw.

Yep those have come in handy over the years working on my 65 Mustang. I wasn’t at home doing this work though.

 

[Moto26]

Yep those have come in handy over the years working on my 65 Mustang. I wasn’t at home doing this work though.

I bought this inspection camera last year, and it’s paid for itself a number of times. I’ve used for automotive purposes (not for tools, but for dead rodents down the fender wells of a car), and for running cable up through my house framing, and a few other things. Worth it!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08519V6G...061CSAE33&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

 

[Bronccraig]

Don't have a confirmed solution for you, haven't seen my truck yet....

Just wanted to give you my condolences and congratulate you on Bronco hazing you into the unofficial ranks of mechanics everywhere. Not hearing the tool or fastener hit the ground is one of those moments we've all experienced, you're one of us now!

-----
In all seriousness, loosening up the plastic fender liner would be my first method of attack before even thinking about loosening anything with paint on it.

Before doing anything though, bumping your fist around the liner will hopefully make the trapped tool jiggle and you'll feel/hear where you need to zero in on. Often just loosening the liner will give you enough movement to bounce it free with gravity helping.

Also worth noting, a cheap telescoping magnet is your BEST friend in this scenario.

Good luck, hopefully with little disassembly!

Number 5 alive..no disassembly..

 

[stickshifthappy]

I bought this inspection camera last year, and it’s paid for itself a number of times. I’ve used for automotive purposes (not for tools, but for dead rodents down the fender wells of a car), and for running cable up through my house framing, and a few other things. Worth it!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08519V6G...061CSAE33&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

Yep got one of those when I was doing some frame rail inspections on my old Mustang.

 

[jonboy1225]

Number 5 alive..no disassembly..

Nice reference! haha

Loved that movie as a kid. Fun fact the house is restored and available as an AirBnB with some neat Short Circuit items and modifications to be close as possible to as seen in the film.

 

[Roger123]

Been there, done that! Pulled the inner fender liner out a bit and out the socket came.

 

[emulous74]

I dropped mine too while installing hood struts. I gave up looking for it and figured it would show itself if it caused a problem or would fall out by its own. Been a thousand miles now and haven’t heard a peep out of it.

 

[Grumpy]

@stickshifthappy did you get the wrench out? It happened to me when I installed my hood struts. But I was able to get it out with a extendable magnet retriever.

 

[BigHoof]

I did the same thing. Was aware so took care. First side went great. Second side fell into the abyss. I just pooped out a few pins enough to pull the liner back and retrieved with a magnet.

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