Help! Door striker nut fell out of B pillar

[Ol' Drippy]

I was removing the door striker in the front passenger side door of my 78 suburban and the plate it screws into and allows for adjustmant just fell as soon as I go the bolt out. Anybody know how I can fix this? I am not even sure if the plate is still in the B pillar at the bottom or if it fell onto the ground.

[crazeetxn]

If it fell out on the ground, is there an access panel anywhere? Can't imagine them putting something together with have access somewhere.

[willett]

It's probably floating in your rocker/cab corner now. Whatever is in the corner behind the seat should come out. I think there's a speaker there?

Anyways a telescopic magnet is going to be your friend...

[baclay9]

That backing plate is not attached, that is what allows adjustment. Pull the speaker bracket and it should be behind there somewhere.

[joe231]

There is an access panel behind the b-pillar trim.

[mrolds88]

As far as a fix, once you have regathered your parts, this is what I would do. Take the plate that held the nut in place and hold it up on the door side of the jamb, marking the outline of it. drill several holes I areas that you can later weld or rivet. Using a unraveled paper clip, hook the paper clip in the plate and nut, then tie a string or piece of wire that you fed down through the hole in the B pillar. Then simply pull it up and through the hole. If you need to weld, the paper clip will take what you need it to. Once you finish the repair, then just use a pair of pliers to remove the paper clip.

[Ol' Drippy]

Thanks for the tips everyone, this is a suburban so I am not sure if I have an access panel anywhere on the B pillar but I will look. These things aren't supposed to fall out are they? In my other GM vehicles something is holding that plate to the B pillar so this doesn't happen, now I am afraid to pull the striker bolt on the other 3 doors.

[Greenlee]

They are loose. On the trucks you can reach back there and hold it. I can't remember if there is something different about the Suburbans. You probably have to remove some plastic trim to get access.

[thinair]

Been awhile since I've been inside one, but take the trim panel off and if I remember right, you will have to pull the seat belt mech. also and I bet that it is right there.

[mrolds88]

There is an access hole just above the floor.

[Ol' Drippy]

Thanks again for the help everyone, I pulled my B pillar trim back and there were a couple of access holes. I was able to retrieve the plate with a magnet using the lower hole and reinstall the plate using the upper hole, it sure is nice to have a door that actually closes again.