I'm screwed - Torx bit fell inside my door

[Nomana]

Hi guys.
I did mistake today. I replaced external handle cover and things went well.

However, After I finished, I tested by closing the door and heard metal piece dropped inside the door panel.

It appeared that I left torx25 head on the screw by accident and it loose and dropped when I banged the door.

So I removed the door panel cover but there was some kind of insulator cover it.

Then I took off the blind plug under the door which I could see the possible area that the torx head might landed but I could not see it.

Tried to shake the door, drive and stop hard but no sound of the thing moving. Seem like it struck tight in the groove somewhere.

I still have hope that I can find and remove it from the blind plug hole but dont know how.

Any idea guys?

Thanks

[MaynardZed]

If it’s not rattling around making noise I wouldn’t worry about it. It won’t hurt anything. Otherwise, you might need to pull the whole door card off.

[Nomana]

Originally Posted by MaynardZed

If it’s not rattling around making noise I wouldn’t worry about it. It won’t hurt anything. Otherwise, you might need to pull the whole door card off.

Took off the door card and found this. Look like something that I will tear it badly

[Alan l.]

If the bits are metal you might be able to use a big magnet to locate and guide it to the opening

https://smile.amazon.com/Master-Magn...rds=big+magnet

Alan

[Fender150]

Its gone down the void, forget about it lol

[tropicalypso]

You could fish around inside the door with a flexible, telescoping magnet wand.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lisle-Mi...FYsYgQod-RQOgg

[Nomana]

Originally Posted by tropicalypso

You could fish around inside the door with a flexible, telescoping magnet wand.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lisle-Mi...FYsYgQod-RQOgg

I have similar idea. A stick with magnet. Not sure how much I can access through one hole

[allinon72]

If it's not making noise, say a prayer and pour out some liquor for your dead homie. Then move on.

[FirstF80InSpace]

You're going to cause more damage by ripping your door open trying to find the thing.

I would just leave it. It's not like you dropped it into the engine or anything.

[Nomana]

Cloth hanger with magnet not work.

Not easy to move. It stick all over the place lol

[Nomana]

I found it!!!!!!!
It lies at the bottom of the end of the door.

I used $20 ebay usb telescopic wand through the blind plug hole.

The area is very narrow.
I dont know how to take it out still

Any idea appreciated!

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by Nomana

I found it!!!!!!!
It lies at the bottom of the end of the door.

I used $20 ebay usb telescopic wand through the blind plug hole.

The area is very narrow.
I dont know how to take it out still

Any idea appreciated!

You need a bendable magnetic stick. Any local auto store will have one.

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

You need a bendable magnetic stick. Any local auto store will have one.

This.
I have a magnetic tool on a flexible copper wire perfect for this type of thing.

[Wah]

Originally Posted by Nomana

Took off the door card and found this. Look like something that I will tear it badly

The black foam part is stuck on to the metal part of the door with a black gummy adhesive. If you pull the bottom of the black foam, you can peel it away from the metal to access the inside of the door. Once you get the bit out, you can reseal the door by just pressing the foam back down. The gummy adhesive will reseal. I've accessed the inside before to take care of a a rattling cable inside the door. If you already took the door panel off, then getting inside the door isn't difficult.

[Alan l.]

get a small magnet and tape it to semi rigid string/rope or zip tie so you can wiggle/snake it around after going through that hole.

or you can get a big ass magnet like I suggested and it should be strong enough to move the bit even through the door skin.

Alan

[Nomana]

Magnet will stick super hard on door panel before it get to the bit. I tried it before.

However I guess magnet stick is possible solution still but I just need to find out how to control the magnet

[Nomana]

Man I used metal wire with magnet at the end to fish the bit out.

However, I manage to push the torx bit deeper into the dark instead of sticking it and now (i believe) it is in vertical position and hard to see it even with telescope.

Next is Super magnet to navigate it from outer door panel. Not sure how magnet strong do I need since the door is metal and thick.

[BzsBimmer]

You’re definitely persistent lol. I’d just leave it. As long as it doesn’t rattle around... but at the end of the day, when you do get it out, I’m sure it’ll be extremely satisfying

[kilox90]

Have you tried shaking the door lol?

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by kilox90

Have you tried shaking the door lol?

Don’t shake the baby

[BluM4]

Come to the Bay Area and smoke a joint. You will feel better and forget about this ever happened.

(Just leave it there if it is not making any noise)

[maniz]

I wouldn't say you're screwed. More like Torxed

But the advice above of using a flexible magnetic wand is good. That's what I would do.

And don't feel bad. I once dropped a small oil suction syringe into the oil-filler hole of my motorcycle's V-Twin engine. That was a fun job...