mn_vette

The last few hundred miles I've been trying to figure out a weird popping noise that I've been hearing. It only happens at certain RPMs, comes and goes, in neutral and when the car is in drive/reverse but more prevalent when in gear. Popping noise can only be heard in the cabin, not really under the hood or under the car. I could feel a vibration through the steering wheel and sometimes brake pedal when the popping noise would happen. That made me think it was related to something in the steering setup, so I decided to pull the belt and verify the noise went away to make sure it wasn't a drivetrain noise that I was just having issues identifying.

I noticed this...............sometimes the simplest solutions are always the best. The screwdriver somehow fell down and got wedged between the idler pulley and the steering rack. Causing some odd noise/vibrations in the car at different times. I'm glad nothing broke or started leaking on the steering rack.

My hassles and worries could have been avoided if I just kept better track of my tools. Lesson learned, now I just need to figure out how to keep a count of how many I bring over to the vehicle somehow.

C6ToGo

Good deal.

Looks like it was time to retire that dollar store screwdriver anyway.

jrose7004

Wow! You are lucky.

c5arlen

A woodworking screwdriver no less.

sleepingcougar

last time when I did brake fluid change, I left my flash light near the rear suspension. a few days and a few test drives later I realized that and took it out. the flash right is still working and no damage to the car.

Wayne88

You are a good man for admitting your error. When this kind of stuff happens to me, I call it "parts unknown", and keep it to myself.

6 Shooter

JackDidley

Easy fixes are the best fixes.

MLaw

Don't feel bad about your experience at all. I think everyone who works on their own cars has inadvertently left a tool somewhere in the car where it didn't belong at least once. I know I have!!

449er

I think that we all have done things like this while wrenching on something whether we admit it or not

Chukman

A little bit of a hassle, $0.00 to fix and you probably won't do it again. Sounds like a win.

old motorhead

I think I could see a 10mm socket behind that screwdriver...

Aardwolf

Yes the 10 mm, I can admit to losing one! I went to do an oil change and found my magnet reacher tool still attached to the car from last time.

DrKrieger

I left a magnetized flashlight on the frame after working on the car. No noise, or hassles but I was surprised when I discovered while doing an oil change that it was still exactly where I left it. I had looked everywhere for that darn flashlight. We all learn by experiences that's for sure.

C6ToGo

Ahhh.....that pesky 10mm. Even Harbor Freight knows about it and sells a 10mm socket collection.

https://www.harborfreight.com/10mm-M...vent_id=182495

rbwinston

Tore into a running 350 motor years ago to do a light rebuild and laying in the lifter valley was a screwdriver!

old motorhead

A few weeks ago, I found a 10mm socket in the road with a 2" extension attached. Probably wouldn't have seen just the socket. Thought I was on a hot streak, so I bought lottery tickets. That socket must have stolen my luck because I'm still poor...

mn_vette

Thanks for all the comments. Its good to know I'm not alone. Hopefully someone sees this and it prevents them from having the same trouble in the future.

Oh, and I think I may go pick up one of those harbor freight 10mm socket sets, mine always seem to be disappearing. Those darn gnomes......