2G Dropped a bolt in the engine bay!

[deibiseu]

While trying to unscrew the cruise control module, I accidentally dropped one of its bolts directly beneath it and could not locate it (even with mirrors and magnets)! Before I go removing random parts off my car, I’d like to know what you guys would do — it could help me save some time.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[Dusty Landrum]

I bet it is stuck in between the subframe and the firewall. Had that happen so many times. Jack up the car and put stands under it. Then crawl under it and look up and back towards the firewall. There is a very small gap between the subframe and I bet it is there. Hope this helps.

 

[CKOPOCT]

If I was unable to find or retrieve it, I would remove an identical bolt and take it to Lowe's or a junk yard and buy a replacement.

 

[dwb]

That's what I call no-man's land. I never throw away any extra fasteners for this very reason. If you can't find it from underneath or with a magnetic wand, get up on top of the valve cover and put your head as near to the point where it fell from. If you're lucky a better vantage point and some good lighting will help spot it. Make sure to check in/around the rear roll stop, starter, and the subframe like @Dusty Landrum said. I've also had things fall out as I let it down off stands or as I'm backing out of the garage. Another method I've used is bouncing the suspension or driving over a small curb (without much success).

 

[chrisman287]

If I was unable to find or retrieve it, I would remove an identical bolt and take it to Lowe's or a junk yard and buy a replacement.

Absolutely. Lowes, Home Depot or a hardware store should carry what you need.

 

[Spleen8urLSX]

In the past I pretend I never seen it and replace it

 

[97egl]

I bet it is stuck in between the subframe and the firewall. Had that happen so many times. Jack up the car and put stands under it. Then crawl under it and look up and back towards the firewall. There is a very small gap between the subframe and I bet it is there. Hope this helps.

That was my first thought too. I've found bolts previous owners have dropped while fishing my own bolts out of this spot.

 

[deibiseu]

Thanks for the replies you guys

I'll go ahead and check out the areas you all pointed out, and if I won't recover it then it's off to Home Depot I go!

 

[Dusty Landrum]

Thanks for the replies you guys

I'll go ahead and check out the areas you all pointed out, and if I won't recover it then it's off to Home Depot I go!

My recommendation would be ACE. They seem to carry more of the metric head and pitch our cars enjoy. Just me though.

 

[CKOPOCT]

Those are pretty standard bolts, meaning you'd see that exact bolt (oe look) across multiple Japanese platforms. Hardware store bolts most likely won't have the same appearance. If you don't care about having a shiny hex head sticking out like a sore thumb, a hardware store will be quick and clean. If you want to make it look like you never lost the bolt, you can grab several bolts and other commonly-lost/missing fasteners from a you-pull-it bone yard. I've come out of junk yards with dozens of fasteners and have never been charged, even if I didn't buy a part. All I had to pay was the yard entry fee.

 

[Kryndon]

Classic lower cruise control box bolt. It's notorious for f***ing right off like that. Once happened to me and the damn thing wedged itself right at the fuel filter bracket but I was so blind I kept looking below and not seeing it wedged in there.

I would suggest a magnetic stick, preferably one of those bendy ones, and start fishing around. A good suggestion was jacking it up and going under the car looking at the subframe. Another notable mention where such bolts have teleported to is inside one of the cavities on the gearbox. Use a magnetic stick, it works wonders, it's like a third eye.

 

[SixBolt_16G]

Ugh... Its stuck in the void now brother! That magical place where bolts, nuts and every 10mm socket that youve ever lost go to hide from you and balk at the fact that youve formed a search party for it. My menards and home depot never have the right metric bolts that I need, thats where shitty ass autozone actuallty always comes through for me because they usually have those 10/12/14 mm bolts, nuts and washers I need in stock.

 

[Dusty Landrum]

Ugh... Its stuck in the void now brother! That magical place where bolts, nuts and every 10mm socket that youve ever lost go to hide from you and balk at the fact that youve formed a search party for it. My menards and home depot never have the right metric bolts that I need, thats where shitty ass autozone actuallty always comes through for me because they usually have those 10/12/14 mm bolts, nuts and washers I need in stock.

Man ACE hardware is where you need to start going. They have a very good selection and lenghts as well as grades too.

 

[SixBolt_16G]

Man ACE hardware is where you need to start going. They have a very good selection and lenghts as well as grades too.

Im definitely going to check it out now that you said something. I didnt even think about Ace.. I have 2 of them in the vicinity.

 

[Mech Addict]

It leaves a feeling of unease, even after you have installed a suitable replacement. I lost one of those little bolts that hold the timing cover steel backing plates, and never saw it again. Not hard to replace, but where the flip did that bolt go, and how is going to grenade my car because it ended up where it aint supposed to be!?!
Yes… the “Fastener Void”

 

[Dusty Landrum]

It leaves a feeling of unease, even after you have installed a suitable replacement. I lost one of those little bolts that hold the timing cover steel backing plates, and never saw it again. Not hard to replace, but where the flip did that bolt go, and how is going to grenade my car because it ended up where it aint supposed to be!?!
Yes… the “Fastener Void”

Imagine in my field of work where you drop a bolt into the void of an 8 million dollar GE jet engine . And it HAS to be found .

 

[CKOPOCT]

Imagine in my field of work where you drop a bolt into the void of an 8 million dollar GE jet engine . And it HAS to be found .

Please stop... you're bringing back memories of FOD walks, tool crib inventories, and late nights cuddling up with a bore scope...