Dropped the &*^^*& bolt

[Ghostrider]

I was changing the plugs on my 2001 4Runner and had to move a large bracket to get to the drivers side rear plug. I dropped the top bolt from the bracket and of course it did not reach the ground. Spent about 30 minutes fishing around without luck. I took the rear splash guard off and tomorrwo will take the front off but I think it's MIA. The real question deals with - Is there anything down there it could hurt? I have no problem buying a new bolt but I sure don;t want to find out the old one really messed up the steering or something like that. Any help is appreciated

 

[Koz]

I dropped the oil fill cap on my 98 Tacoma during an oil change and it vanished. I spent hours looking for it (took off all the skid plates) and ended up having to buy a new one. To this day it never showed up!

Koz

 

[Thai]

I would just get a new one. I don't think that it could damage anything...because if it did, then mud, pebbles, etc. would cause damage too. It will probably fall off somewhere down the road in the near future.

 

[sharp4runr]

That bolt and oil cap are in the same place that single socks go when they disappear from the dryer/washer...

 

[Ghostrider]

Got Lucky!!

I went out this morning and turned the truck around so the sun hit the engine. Pulled off the rear splash plate and the plate over the fuel filter. Even hung a bolt on a string to see where it might have landed. Nothing worked. I was looking up from the wheel well and saw it sitting outside of the frame. No idea why or how it wound up so far away from where it would fall straight down. I guess I will do the fuel filter while I've got the cover off.

 

[Koz]

Re: Got Lucky!!

I went out this morning and turned the truck around so the sun hit the engine. Pulled off the rear splash plate and the plate over the fuel filter. Even hung a bolt on a string to see where it might have landed. Nothing worked. I was looking up from the wheel well and saw it sitting outside of the frame. No idea why or how it wound up so far away from where it would fall straight down. I guess I will do the fuel filter while I've got the cover off.

I sent hours looking for that cap. I refused to beleive that it could not be found. I even re-checked a week later. It disappeared like a fart in the wind!

Koz