And I can't get it out!!

I just finished changeing out the heater core in my 85 4-Runner ( Ugh...Whatta NIGHTMARE! ), and I am replaceing the instrument cluster,




when the magnetic tip insert on my screwdriver falls out, bouces off the top of the steering column and lands perfectly in the tube surrounding the steering shaft...



Crap!!

I cant reach it with anything, I tried my magnetic reaching tool....It won't reach far enough....

Am I screwed?

Will it interfere with the steering shaft?

How the hell will I get it OUT??

Anybody have any experience with this?

Any input will be appreciated.....

 

Drive up something really steep!

 

Heh - heh...Believe me....That idea is still on my (Short) list...along with tearing out the entire column....

 

Can you put a big magnet on the outside of the column and slowly move it towards the top till you can reach it with something.

 

Compressed air?

 

time to tear it all apart again.... one reason i use a real screw driver

 

Shop Vac.

 

yeah, super strong vacuum cleaner, maybe with a long tip for it

 

I think Ill try that....Maybe I can snake a piece of flexible tube in there hooked up to my Suck-O-Lux 2000...
I'll give it a try and post up how it worked.


Yeah....Yer not kidding....
Good times!!:pat:

 

I can't believe you wouldn't be able to get ahold of a really long magnet pickup tool....or just make your current one longer by zip-tying somethhing like a welding rod to it and make it longer......seems too easy to me much easier than a vaccum.....

 

Small magnet like the one I would pillage from my son's Brio crane and tie securely on a string.
See, kid toys are for more than just puncturing your foot.

 

Got It!!!

After sleeping on it and pondering the suggestions presented here...(You guys rock!)...I dimantled the end of my magnetic reaching tool and attached it to the end of an old manual choke cable I had laying around. (I am a major packrat...)
Threaded it up from underneath the steering column....



Fished around a bit, and "Clink"!

Bingo!!



I had visions of myself driving on the interstate and my steering wheel locking up.....With the crashing and the screaming and the bleeding....

(Whew...)

Thanx for the suggestions everyone!!

(You crack me up Hab!!)

 

i love the play by play animation. Its like john madden on monday night. you guys crack me up.

 

wow i thought it was just those little tiny screw driver bits

 

Hence my paranoia...

I am banning all removeable tip inserts in my Runner from now on.

 

Choke cable idea way better than string...flexible yet stiff enough to make it go where you want.