Lost Socket—What Would You Do?

[Tranz Zam]

I've lost sockets in vehicles before.

I live at the end of a dead end street. If I can't find the socket/tool, I'll finish whatever I'm fixing and take the vehicle into the street and start going around in circles, increasing speed with every lap.

They usually come flying out.

 

[m9199]

Maybe fish around with a magnet?

 

[rubicube]

six months later I'm working on it an there lays that damn socket on the engine

 

[RussinIdaho]

You'll find it some day with all those lost 10mm sockets.

 

[MountaineerTom]

Near PS pump...look in the fan shroud, water pump, timing chain cover.

I’ve dropped several small items over the years on many vehicles and they ended up being in the fan shroud.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

Near PS pump...look in the fan shroud, water pump, timing chain cover.

I could definitely see something hiding in the water pump pulley, or between the casting gussets in the water pump.

 

[mots]

I dropped and lost a nut one time when working on a car. Couldn't find it for my life. When I was done, I backed out of of the garage, slammed on the brakes, and got out and looked. There it was laying on the driveway. Worth a try, once you are brave enough to start her up.!

 

[mynamesrickgrimes]

Thanks fellas. I'll give it a go!

 

[qslim]

I've lost sockets in vehicles before.

I live at the end of a dead end street. If I can't find the socket/tool, I'll finish whatever I'm fixing and take the vehicle into the street and start going around in circles, increasing speed with every lap.

They usually come flying out.

"Sorry kids, no street hockey today. Tranz Zam lost something in his TJ..."

 

[scottgraham]

If it's in a garage, turn the lights out and get a super bright flashlight, it's prb chrome, should be easy to see unless your engine is chromed out.

 

[Irun]

I know it doesn't help, but I had a similar issue a few years ago. Lost a socket, searched for hours, finally gave up. Last year I was cleaning the frame and guess what I found in it? If you guessed a socket, you were correct. I still have no idea how it got in there, but it did.

 

[qslim]

 

[Vinman]

A few years ago a guy in our club was doing maintenance on his 5.2 Grand Cherokee which involved removing the injectors and lost a 1/4” screwdriver bit. He looked everywhere for it around the engine before finally giving up.
He finally found it sitting on top of the piston after removing the head to see what the knocking was all about

 

[Aviatortroy]

Funny, sort of, because my second string tool set is missing the 10mm deep well. Several years ago I was replacing the idle air valve on my wife’s Volvo and it flew into the depths never to be seen again and I’m frustrated all over again every time I see that blank space in the tool case.

 

[Peter Panagakos]

I think the only concern would be if it managed to fall in the engine, so I agree with checking the exhaust and intake ports carefully, then check the manifolds. If it's not in the motor, it won't hurt anything. Probably wedged in some little nook that you can't see. Oh, I would also check behind the pullies. Might be stuck back there. I've had the same thing happen many times as I have fumble fingers.

 

[mynamesrickgrimes]

As expected... finished the manifold job and started up the car.

No awful noises from a lost socket... instead, a much quieter Jeep

 

[Mumblewood]

Whenever I can’t find a tool after looking for it for an hour I usually just walk away for the day/night. Then look the next day and usually find it within 5 minutes.

 

[qslim]

As expected... finished the manifold job and started up the car.

No awful noises from a lost socket... instead, a much quieter Jeep

Your socket will come back someday man... That or bounce into someones windshield on the highway.

 

[mynamesrickgrimes]

Another reason to love dogs. On our walk this morning, my dog stopped to sniff my lost 6mm socket.

For perspective, you'll see the house in the background of the photo.

 

[Rcroane]

Another reason to love dogs. On our walk this morning, my dog stopped to sniff my lost 6mm socket.

For perspective, you'll see the house in the background of the photo.

View attachment 144829

That's awesome....hope you gave him/her a treat!