Replaced battery, dropped socket.....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 6
Replaced battery, dropped socket.....
changing out the battery, dropped the socket/bit/end of the ratchet whatchamacallit (can you tell I dont do this very often?).
Its not right under the battery, that would have been too easy, I cant see it from the top, but it sounded like it landed on something plastic. Any tips on how to retrieve?
Its not right under the battery, that would have been too easy, I cant see it from the top, but it sounded like it landed on something plastic. Any tips on how to retrieve?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green Kentucky
If you have a magnet with a handle, I put an old coat hanger(cut to extend) through the hole in the handle of the magnet and twist it on. It's a way to extend the magnet in places that i cant see and cant reach, the hanger can be shaped to go back under the battery box most likely and retrieve your socket. Hope this helps, seems to work for me! Best of Luck! 
Last edited by Fitt's Vette; Dec 7, 2010 at 10:50 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
I think you can pull the base that hold the battery out fairly easy, and I know the surround to the battery comes out just not sure how. I have dropped the socket down there twice and was able to feel around with my fingers and get it without removing anything.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 78
From: Forney Texas
Problem with fishing with a magnet on a weak rod is the first time you get close to ferrous metal, you're stuck. Either get a magnetic tool from Walmart or an auto parts store that's on what looks like a collapsible antenna with a handle or get a 9/32 or 7mm socket (or wrench) and remove the few screws that hold the rear fender well/PCM cover plate on. there will be about 6 or so. If you want to know if it's down there, you can get down there and bump the plastic and you'll hear the socket jump when you do. If you've been driving, it's possible for it to take a ride down your rocker panel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 8
From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
You'll find it under the rocker panel below the door in about the middle. I found mine when I did the headers months after losing it. I removed one bolt, pried the rocker away from the bottom of the car and the socket fell right out.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Taking out the battery tray is extremely easy then you can reach down and get it unless the socket you dropped was your only 13mm then you are SOL. 
You can also access the area through the wheel well. Just a few 7mm screws to remove.
You can also access the area through the wheel well. Just a few 7mm screws to remove.
Last edited by Wicked Weasel; Dec 8, 2010 at 07:21 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,341
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
I did the same thing the first time I had to pull the battery out of my car. Turns out its pretty easy to take the battery tray out of the car so you can find stuff you dropped under it...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 819
Likes: 3
From: Flowery Branch Ga
This seems to be a common problem. I dropped a 3'8's swivel adapter into the passenger side front end bumper area 2 weeks ago after changing the plugs. Spent about an hour with a flashlight and magnet looking for it. I'll eventually find it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 887
Likes: 8
From: North Plainfield New Jersey
I did the same thing when I changed my battery. Just jack up that corner, take the wheel off, remove the access panel in the fender liner, and stick your arm in there and feel around for it.
I ended up doing this twice while putting my battery in, lol. I wanted to kick myself the second time. It only takes 5 minutes. If you stick your head under the rocker panel and hit the bottom plastic, I'm sure you'll hear it bouncing around.
I ended up doing this twice while putting my battery in, lol. I wanted to kick myself the second time. It only takes 5 minutes. If you stick your head under the rocker panel and hit the bottom plastic, I'm sure you'll hear it bouncing around.
