2015 f-150 3.5 Eco Boost Lariat
I was swapping the Crank shaft sensor and while pulling my socket out it popped off the extension and dropped in-between engine and trans.

It looks like that 7 MM might be able to just sit at the bottom of the bell.
What are the odds that I can drive to the dealership without causing further issues?

I have tried a claw\grappler, vacuum, and have finally given up hope on retrieving how it went in.

This is enough for me to want to give up my shade tree wrench....

Thanks for any help

 

Oh boy! All I can say, in my best Clint Eastwood impression, is, "Well punk.....Do you feel lucky?".

I don't think I would chance it. I think I would pull the transmission back enough to get it out from the bottom.

But that is just my opinion.

 

How much will a tow cost? How much will a new transmission cost?

 

Have you tried using a boroscope to see where it is at exactly? I recently purchased a boroscope that connects to a smarphone that works pretty great especially for only 20 dollars. Also has a magnet attachment that goes onto it. My 2 year old son threw my 9/16 socket in my frame rail(granted I know the frame is a larger space and has bigger openings so a lot easier the manage) but was able to clearly see image on phone and retrieve the socket.

 

Did you try a magnet?

 

That's a doozy. I would try the following in order:

1. Magnet on bendable tool. Something like this: https://smile.amazon.com/MAG-MATE-90...s%2C146&sr=8-2
2. Pop the starter out and use that for better access. (this is what the dealer will probably do)
3. Get it towed to the dealer if you don't feel comfortable pulling the trans. I would not feel comfortable driving with a piece of hardened steel bouncing around in between the two most expensive components on my truck. If it gets kicked up and lands in between the flexplate and the engine block you are going to have a really bad day.

 

Use a magnet extention..

 

It is worth a try but I doubt a magnet will work. The backing plate on the block is steel and so is the torque converter. The magnet will probably just grab them instead of the socket. It all depends on how far down the socket fell.

 

Well it's getting towed in the AM to drop the trans as I am not the guy to dig that deep.

​​​​​Time to pay the Piper

Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions