C5MILLYELL02

Hi All,

It's been a while but I have a slight problem and wonder if it's a cause for concern. While replacing the battery, my @##^&*% socket fell off the wrench and fell underneath the hole that's already underneath the plastic bottom for the battery. No hope on reaching it as I can't see it, so a magnetic socket wouldn't help. I don't feel like taking that whole section apart, because my expertise is limited to the basics-lol

I'm not sure if there is another hole down at the bottom where it will just fall out if I take it for a spin. I havn't driven it yet, since I've just taken it out of Winter storage, and the darn battery tender didn't keep the battery charged, hence my replacment.

Is anyone familiar with this section of the engine? Will it fall out? Is there a danger of it harming something internally, etc.

Thanks for your advice.

Cobra4B

*Jack up front of car or right front
*Turn your wheels all the way left, or remove RF wheel
*You'll see the access panel for the car's computer right there
*Remove it and you should be able to get where you need to go.

REDEVIL

I did the same thing a few weeks ago. Just remove the access panel as stated above. I still haven't done it, but I doubt anything will be hurt from the socket being in there.

Cobra4B

Actually in the owners manual is specifically says

Humy

sorry to laugh, but usually we end up with extra bolts and screws when we work on our cars , that musta been really frustrating - I woulda started yelling at my fiance if she was around and blame it on her distracting me or something

edensknight

blacksedan87

OMG!!!! You dropped a tool into the BLACKHOLE??

The last person that reported that problem reached down there with a magnetic extending wand and his arm disappeared!

You've heard of the Bermuda Triangle, right? Well, this is the Corvette Triangle.......

Tools have a way of mysteriously disappearing into it - never to be heard from again......

Actually - now that I've gotten that out of my system - I really did use one of those magnetic extending wands and I was able to snag it. Here's a pic of what's in that hole......


Happy hunting!

rwsr50

That picture reminds me of some instructions I've seen in some so-called service manuals...

"To recover dropped socket, simply remove fender and pick up socket."

y2kcorvettebob

I still have a craftsman 13 mm in there from 2002 Damn I miss that socket, Them vise grips are rounding off all my 13 mm bolts!!

wrustywrench

I found a chaftsman wrench in my rocker panel, they tuner musta dropped it when they installed the boost a pump...

I could see it when i removed the rear innner fender to install the brake ducts...
a magnet on a yard stick got it,,,,,

be easy to removed the wheel, then the panel and get your tool back..:

wonder if they miss it,,

Stickman81

I've been able to gain access to this area without jacking the car. You end up having to turn your wheels to the left and the right in order to get all the attatching bolts out. I think they are 7mm.

MY1STPEWTER

Check your bill, it might be on there.

c5chris

I dropped a socket there while replacing the stock battery with an Optima Red. Even when I convinced myself that it is ok, I lost a few nights sleep over it. I caved in and retrieved the socket with a magnetic wand after I took out the battery and its tie-down/holder.

Humy

b98

Just add it to your mod. list and forget it.

LarryW

I feel your pain bro, I dropped a battery terminal nut while changing out my battery but luckily for me it fell onto the plastic splash guard below that area

If you're positive it fell into that hole (and I know exactly what hole you're referring to ), do think you might be able to fish it out using something like this:

Magnetic pick-up tool

It's on sale at Sears BTW , and works quite well; has a built-in flashlight, powerful magnet, and is telescoping.

Or something like this: Flexible pick-up tool (this baby has little claws that you can use to grasp the socket if you can locate it, and the whole thing is flexible).

Good luck

jrc27

This just happened to me yesterday, do what cobra4b described and it takes about 10 minutes

doje

Darn, I was just about to go try this and realized my 7mm bolt was with the others - in the black hole.

J/K

Vetteman Jack

I've done the same thing with a socket and taking this panel off made access very easy. There is not hole for the socket to fall out, so if you want it, follow the above.

Stickman81

You had me going.