[Bill H]

Hello everyone new to this forum.

Here is my quandary:
I picked up my new 718 Friday. I installed a trickle charger. While unscrewing the battery terminal (-) because it doesn't have an auxillary bolt like the + side. Anyway I dropped a screwdriver and of course it disappeared. finally located it at the bottom of the steering column. It does not appear that it would affect the steering mechanism as it has about two inches of clearance. I am going to buy an endoscope to further examine the position of the screwdriver. If it is just lying there and "apparently" not interfering with anything is it safe to drive? Or should I have it hauled to a Porsche dealer? Is there anyway to access this space from under the car?

Thanks for any help.

Bill

 

[Baka1969]

https://www.amazon.com/X-Long-Flex-Cable-Pick-Up-4-Finger-Retriever/dp/B0793JWN3H

For $5, why risk it?

 

[GregW]

A magnet on a string?

 

[porkey]

If you have relatively straight line access, a magnetic wand might work. I've used them in the past and always keep a number of them in my tool arsenal. I've found ones with different size heads/magnet strengths. Basically an extendable wand with a magnetic head which retracts when you're done. Don't need them often, but when I do they come in handy. Last time was when I "lost" a bolt which I could not see, but was able to fish it out with my small head wand. Available in most automotive stores. I have a few with the Craftsman label (Historically I'm a big Craftsman tool fan and have a nice selection of older "made in the USA" versions). One potential problem with larger objects is your "path of draw". Depending on where the magnet attaches, the object you're attempting to retrieve could get dislodged on the way out, as you will likely encounter some interference caused by the surrounding car parts. It kind of reminds me of the childhood game "Operation" when I use it!

 

[aeronca65tl]

I responded on your other "Now What" post.

But in case you miss it, here is what I would use:

https://www.grainger.com/product/UL..._on_Your_Search-_-IDPPLARECS&cm_vc=IDPPLARECS

 

[Viffermike]

@Bill H,

First: Welcome to the forum!

I've moved this post to the General Discussion subforum since it is not Cayman-specific. I've also deleted your duplicate post in the New Member Introductions subforum.

As to your quandary: @Baka1969 and @aeronca65tl both have fabulous suggestions. I keep both of those tools around for just your situation. IMHO, they are as important to have around as a good ratchet wrench set -- and they're handy for other uses (For instance, I've used the 'claw' tool for routing wires/cable in tight spaces several times).

Good luck extracting the screwdriver!

 

[ANGST]

If it works it's way out while you are driving , it could be bad.

 

[Bill H]

Thanks everyone. I bought a flexible endoscope with a grabber thing at Home Depot and couldn't find the **** screwdriver again. 30 minutes later I went back in the house moaning and bitchin' away, So my wife grabs the endoscope and say's "I'll find it". I kept my mouth shut (for once) and damned if she didn't come back 3 minutes later with it. I felt like an idiot. We are both 69 years old and have been married for 50 years. So I'm well acquainted with feeling like a fool.

2019 718 Guards Red, auto, 20" Carrera S wheels, Navigation and a bunch of other goodies I haven't figured out yet.
Thing feels like it's on rails, probably kill myself. When the 718 is home it rests on an old Persian rug in the garage.

Bill

 

[mk10589]

Thanks everyone. I bought a flexible endoscope with a grabber thing at Home Depot and couldn't find the **** screwdriver again. 30 minutes later I went back in the house moaning and bitchin' away, So my wife grabs the endoscope and say's "I'll find it". I kept my mouth shut (for once) and damned if she didn't come back 3 minutes later with it. I felt like an idiot. We are both 69 years old and have been married for 50 years. So I'm well acquainted with feeling like a fool.

2019 718 Guards Red, auto, 20" Carrera S wheels, Navigation and a bunch of other goodies I haven't figured out yet.
Thing feels like it's on rails, probably kill myself. When the 718 is home it rests on an old Persian rug in the garage.

Bill

Happy wife, happy life. Pretty much same Porsche but we opted for Carmine Red. I went from a Corvette to a 718 and now the "boss" will regularly drive it as it never happened with the Corvette.