Levo Gen 3 Nut fell into the frame

[Bustershaw]

I had my Gen3 upside down with the battery out and accidentally dropped a nut into the space in front of the motor and I can't get it out. I tried turning the bike over and dropping it, but no luck. Can it cause any damage up there, probably above the motor I imagine? I really don't want to pull the motor if I don't have to.

 

[Fangs2k]

Can you remove the front 2 motor mount bolts and loosen the rear one so the motor can drop down slightly and allow the nut to escape? I don’t think you’ll have to unplug any wiring even.

It probably won’t do any harm, but if it’s wedged somewhere it might be able to start rubbing inside the frame or motor, or just rattle about?

 

[irie]

If it was my bike I'd have to obey my OCD and get the nut out before riding the bike again.

 

[DuncanDoughnuts]

will rattle but wont do any damage... the motor is sealed.... but it would drive my head in

 

[MeatBike]

If it's a steel nut you could try fishing it out from above with a magnet on some string.

 

[PeeJay1]

. A moment to remove it now, could save Tears later… just saying,

 

[irie]

If it's a steel nut you could try fishing it out from above with a magnet on some string.

Or with a "Magic Wand" perhaps (Amazon: "magnetic pick up long reach telescopic tool magnet extending pen" I think). Had one in my toolkit for years, only used it a few times but each time was the only thing that worked (when retrieving ball bearings dropped inside slipper clutches for example).

 

[Bustershaw]

Or with a "Magic Wand" perhaps (Amazon: "magnetic pick up long reach telescopic tool magnet extending pen" I think). Had one in my toolkit for years, only used it a few times but each time was the only thing that worked (when retrieving ball bearings dropped inside slipper clutches for example).

I have something like that, but I'd have to go through the seat tube and so far I've been unable to get the dropper out, although I didn't try too hard. This all started with trying to change my bottle cage. I thought it would be a 10 minute job until I found out that the screws are threaded into the plastic guide for the cable and brake hose. I tried using nuts, but the guide has to be tied down there apparently because my battery doesn't like to go in or out of the tube like it is. What a disaster.

 

[RustyMTB]

Nothing that can't be fixed! If you really need to get in via the seat tube, then you can do it by releasing the dropper lever from the bar - should be one bolt & don't lose it! That will allow the dropper cable to slide toward the cable port as you lift the dropper out of the seat tube until it clears & you can get a flexi magnet tool into the seat tube.

If you do it this way, then refitting requires you to pull the dropper cable back into position while keeping a little tension by resisting the dropper post as as it goes back down the seat tube, that ensures the cable goes back smoothly the way it came without kinking I.e don't stuff the dropper back in the tube & then pull the cable, do it in one coordinated motion. Good luck.

 

[Fangs2k]

This all started with trying to change my bottle cage. I thought it would be a 10 minute job until I found out that the screws are threaded into the plastic guide for the cable and brake hose.

I did exactly the same on my Gen 3, didn’t realise that the bottle mount bolts go into captive nuts on a plastic cable/wire guide inside the frame.

My captive nuts stayed in the holder fortunately, but it was a devil of a job to get the guide back into position and the bolts back in, I needed four hands!

I really would drop the motor a little to get the nut out, it’s not a big job.

 

[Bustershaw]

I did exactly the same on my Gen 3, didn’t realise that the bottle mount bolts go into captive nuts on a plastic cable/wire guide inside the frame.

My captive nuts stayed in the holder fortunately, but it was a devil of a job to get the guide back into position and the bolts back in, I needed four hands!

I really would drop the motor a little to get the nut out, it’s not a big job.

I can't believe that some engineer thought that was a good design. They should put a sticker there that says "Don't remove screws before you consult the owner's manual" which doesn't mention anything about it either...
I finally got it back together, but it was over 2 days on my knees and back, getting frustrated and sore. At 70 I don't bend like I used to.
Also, I tried to remove the dropper lever and feed some cable back into the frame while pulling on the dropper post but it wasn't budging.