Hi

I've just replaced the rear offside lamp cluster on my 2011 Octavia estate. 
As the inside body trim reveals absolutely no clue as to how to release it (and following some forum tips) I decided to prise back the trim slightly  to allow as much access as possible to the four small bolts securing the lamp cluster. 
I was also well aware of the distinct possibility of dropping any of the securing nuts and so stuffed the void beneath with a large cloth..............success!!

THEN...........when tightening the last bolt (top left) the bloody spanner slipped and disappeared as if by magic through the cloth and into the abyss below!!

I have looked, felt by hand, and with a magnetic probe etc., but this sodding spanner appears to have disappeared off the face of the earth 
 

Anyone got any ideas........(for finding the spanner I mean)!!

At least the lights work AND it's stopped raining

Edited 9 August, 20178 yr by worroourkid

That blessed spanner will have fallen into the void of the rear wing ,you will likely have to persevere with a magnetic pick up to retrieve it from the bottom ,it having settled in a crevice.

I recently had to replace my rear light cluster, for your info, remove the trim, which gives access to bulb baseplate, looking 2 thirds down from the top, you will see a detent clip ,press it to one side and it will release, having removed the plug in wiring ( flat black plug ), a bit of jiggling and you can remove the baseplate, to refit is a bit fiddly but a firm push is needed to engage the clip,

I didn't use any tools to change mine, but I am sure I would have lost the spanner and fixings had I done so, the dates would have chosen that.

You can peel the carpet out of the boot seal and there are a few cut outs in the that area which will give you better access. The good news is that it is all enclosed so it won't go far but it does drop down into a well behind the wheel arches.

 

If feel you pain as last nights 10 minute job on the motorbike took over 2 hours when I dropped a rubber spacer through the frame and somehow it managed to find it's way under the airbox