Hi guys

Been an idiot and lost a socket down the side of the a-pillar as I was tightening up my grab handles - anyone know how I can get access behind the dashboard panels so I can get the my socket back as it nows rattles when driving?

Thanks

 

Not got a magnet but think if I can remove the side panel of the dashboard then I can probably get at it - not sure how to remove this panel though so anyone able to guide me would be great.

 

A socket? Most people only get lighters and shell casings stuck in there. Oh, I did get a razor blade stuck in there and a telescoping magnet work just fine. (The razor blade was for removing a parking pass I had put on the windshield, not for doing lines on my dash. lol)

 

My dad dropped his phone down there in my mom's X. I can't remember how they got it out.

 

I did that twice...in the rain...installing my grab handles. You'll have to remove the visor assembly completely (T10 torx I believe) and once the visor is off, remove the plastic screw in the second hole below the hole you're probably mounting the grab handle too (if you did the pillar to visor handles like I did). It's a philips head plastic screw and a sleeve is supposed to come with it. Then you can pull the top plastic piece off at the top of the roll cage. Pull it firmly straight down as there is an embedded plastic white screw that plugs into a hole in the roll cage. Now you can pull off the plastic A-pillar channel. Be careful so you don't break the metal fasteners that keep it in. Pull it sideways (i.e. towards the passenger side) if you can. There are lots of little pockets and channels in that plastic piece that a bolt or socket can get stuck in. One of mine fell all the way down the side of the dash, but I was able to take the side of the dash off and fish it out. The side of the dash just pulls and swings off. Careful not to break a fasterner though. Just gingerly works things around when dealing with removing the plastic parts of the dash. A magnet would definitely help. Best of luck!