Mysterious black hole where parts vanish forever!

[50Traveler]

While installing a radio in my '90 a torx bit dropped and rolled into the gap under the steering wheel.  I can't see it and an magnetic pickup can't find it either.  

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thank you,

Justin

[89REATTAJIM]

  Seems like every car I have owned, plus others I have worked on, have some sort of negative energy field that eats small parts and tools. On the other hand, I was cleaning out my Expy prior to trading it in tomorrow, and found a torx bit under the seat. Don't know if I lost it or the P O did. Just one of the mysteries of life, like working under the hood, if anything drops it goes to the center of the car, and a broom handle must be used to retrieve it.    

[50Traveler]

Is it a T15?  Your car could have the end of the worm hole that started under my Reatta's steering wheel.

[Machiner 55]

I'm also missing a #15 Torx bit. It is attached to a 3" magnetic bit holder extension. 

I used a small inspection mirror and 350 lumen flashlight  as well as a fiber optic camera to look for it in the consol area into which it fell. No dice.

Now I'm wondering who's car it fell into...

 

John F.

Edited September 21, 2015 by Machiner 55 (see edit history)

[Barney Eaton]

Turn the car over and shake........who know what will fall out.

[waltmail]

Quickest way to find lost parts/tools. Buy a replacement and the original will miraculously show up.

[jonlabree]

I worked with a fellow many years ago that would drop a part, wrench or etc. and go and get another one of whatever and drop it in the same place and watch it fall.

Occasionally he would recover the first one and sometimes both.

[farnelle]

Remove the bolster under the steering wheel. You will need to remove the

panel that contains the courtesy light under the bolster, and the dash fascia to get to the screws holding the bolster. There are also two 10mm bolts at the

bottom of the bolster. Not a bad job, but can take an hour to R&R. I guess you just have to decide how badly you need the bit. If you decide to tackle it, be careful as the tabs on the bolster can be very brittle.

Edited September 23, 2015 by farnelle (see edit history)

[89REATTAJIM]

 

    Replaced front rt Park light bulb. While feeling around under headlight ass'y, found a 7mm socket w/extension. Not sure if I lost it or maybe from P O. 

    If anyone on the forum owned my Silver/Blue '89 and lost this, let me know and I will return it.

 

 

[padgett]

No but every time I clean out the garage it is like Christmas and I have trouble closing the tool box drawers.

[JeremyD]

When I bought my 90 convertible it was missing horn buttons, passenger door carpet, and carpeted fuse cover... I proceeded to clean the car thoroughly and hired a guy to dye my carpets back to OEM Driftwood (they were bleached pink from sun). $75 later I have a perfect color matched interior and he managed to find all of my missing items! He also removed my tattered leather steering wheel cover and dyed the black rim to match the rest of the interior. No idea where or how but everything was back in its proper place when he was finished. 

Edited November 12, 2015 by JeremyD (see edit history)