A pillar

[cadetchris]

whilst tightening up the nuts for the bonnet hinges, i managed to drop both of my 7/16 sockets down the inside of the a pillar. i thought they had dropped down into the sills, but alas the two are not open to each other.

so, how can i get back my only two 7/16 sockets without having to hack into the pillar?

[chickenjohn]

You might be lucky with a magnet on a (STRONG!) bit of string or welding wire dangled down the gap between the kidney panel and inner wing. Try either side of the kidney depression. Or a small mirror, torch and welding wire with a hook bent on the end.

Other than that just buy a new socket. BTW, I thought (from memory) the bonnet hinge nuts are 3/16 Whitworth (1/4 bsf thread), but I could be wrong on that.

[cadetchris]

just tried the magnet idea, it just kept getting stuck to the body. also tried to use the wire/mirror and torch idea but owing to a lack of hands and mirrors the sockets have been joined the small mirror and the bit of wire. the gap is starting to fill up nicely with little bits

[PSL184]

Can you not drill some "largeish" holes from underneath the base of the A pillar (forward of the sills) and use some large body grommets to fill the holes. They could also act as a drain for water and save rotting the pillars out

[littleblackflash]

I dropped a socket down mine. Couldn't get it out with a magnet so I brough another socket.

Fill the a-pillar with foam to stop it ratteling.

[chickenjohn]

LOL! Just fill the A pillar with waxoyl and all the little bits will float to the top!

Seriously, you might have to cut a hole in the inside of the kidney panel if you want to get the bits back then weld it up again. Or just buy new sockets.

[jonathon]

Wrap plenty of insulation tape around the sides of the magnet, this will only allow the end of it to attatch to your sockets. or use one of the retractable telescopic claws.

[cadetchris]

tried and failed to get them out, so ill just have to buy some new ones. i have tried halfords and drawn a blank, so any ideas where i could get one from quickly? ideally not mail order as i hopefully will be getting the pistons tomorrow and then crack on.

[chickenjohn]

Try your local motor factors as they might have some old inperial stock tools they want to get rid of.

[Declan_Burns]

The same thing happened me but with a spanner. When the weather clears and I can get the car out of the garage I will try and fish it out with a magnet and when I get back to tightening the bonnet hinge I think I will be using a combination spanner open end / ring spanner with a piece of string attached to my wrist just in case.
Regards

[newagetraveller]

I am not sure if this is a silly idea or not. How about using an electromagnet?

Wrap some wire around a nail.
Drop nail down A-post until it reaches socket.
Connect wires to a battery and energise electromagnet.
Electromagnet is attracted to socket.
Pull electromagnet and socket out of A-post.

Clearly you would need to use a torch battery rather than a car battery and everything would have to be well insulated but it might work.

[cadetchris]

decided to use an 11mm socket instead. not the best substitute i know, but it has solved the immediate problem and once the weather defrosts, ill fish it out using one/many or all of the devices mentioned