70 Hardware Abyss
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
70 Hardware Abyss
I was cleaning off the rain drip edge in the engine compartment on the drivers side and forgot I had left some stainless steel (non-magnetic) hardware on there. I pushed it into the opening under the wiper door mechanism... and it fell into the abyss. One washer landed on the ledge and I am trying to fish it out. The rest went down between the fender and the body. There appears to be a void that can't be accessed from the egg crate opening or the passenger compartment opening. Is my hardware gone forever unless I rip the front end off the car?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,168
Likes: 4,244
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Tom,
You'll have 'some' access to the bottom of the abyss through the vent openings in the cowl sides.
Once you have the kick panel off and the vent door removed you can reach at least parts of the abyss with your hand and other ingenious tools.
A magnet usually works well but in your case maybe it needs to be something very sticky that the hardware will adhere to long enough for you to get it out.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
The vent opening with the door still in place.
You'll have 'some' access to the bottom of the abyss through the vent openings in the cowl sides.
Once you have the kick panel off and the vent door removed you can reach at least parts of the abyss with your hand and other ingenious tools.
A magnet usually works well but in your case maybe it needs to be something very sticky that the hardware will adhere to long enough for you to get it out.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
The vent opening with the door still in place.
Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 10, 2018 at 09:20 AM.
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Yes, maybe a little 3M double sided emblem tape wadded up on a hanger could get you down there, as long as there isn't too much dust/dirt.
Of course, this didn't work for me. My '77 Cheyenne still has one of my Snap-On sockets buried in the passenger fender.
Of course, this didn't work for me. My '77 Cheyenne still has one of my Snap-On sockets buried in the passenger fender.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
Join the club, my #2 phillips fell out of the 3/8 drive socket and went down behind the wiper door on the drivers side.
I haven't driven the car since or removed the kick panel yet to do a search. It's on my to do list.
I haven't driven the car since or removed the kick panel yet to do a search. It's on my to do list.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,138
Likes: 1,667
From: Long Island
BEST INVENTION KNOW TO MAN, DUCT TAPE on a piece of 1/16 or similar small size hose about 3 -4 feet long.
Wrap the duct tape sticky side out around the bottom + across the bottom of the hose and then twist the tape over so it sticks to the hose.
For a socket I used 3/8 hose.
Remember if you can't fix it with duct tape and silicone it's broken for good.
Wrap the duct tape sticky side out around the bottom + across the bottom of the hose and then twist the tape over so it sticks to the hose.
For a socket I used 3/8 hose.
Remember if you can't fix it with duct tape and silicone it's broken for good.
Last edited by BLUE1972; Feb 9, 2018 at 09:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Thanks for the suggestions. I have the kick panel off and all I can seem to feel is the sealed off body mount bolt and pocket... no further than that. The lost hardware is on the other side of the pocket, towards the front. From above in the wiper door compartment I can see leaves etc with a flashlight but the abyss is along the inner side of the fender and is pretty much inaccessable. I wonder what else is in there. I'll try the suggestions if I can get something to go into the abyss... sharp right turn.
