Bolts dropping off

[Simon Lord]

Driving along the motorway last evening there was a thunk-clunk-rattle as
something struck the underneath of the car. I thought I'd driven over
something, which surprised me as I hadn't noticed anything in front of me,
but I couldn't see anything behind me. A few miles later, in a 50kph area,
same noise again and this time I saw something come out. I stopped and
picked it up - a shiny thick hexagonal-headed bolt about 9mm long threaded
for the lower 4mm or so. It could have been coincidence but I am now scared
that something major is about to fall apart and drove home very slowly.
Nothing obviously missing, car looks OK, no funny clunks I don't think
(although I am of course paranoid about every sound now).

I had a new clutch fitted about 1800kms ago. I will take it back to the
garage to get the guy to check it over, but does anyone here have any
suggestions as to where one - possibly two - two such bolts might have come
from on a 97 NA?

By the way, re panel beaters, I suggest the car painters might not be happy
having their willingness to do cash jobs publicised on here - you never know
who might be watching. Incidentally, if you do ever go down the cash route,
don't think that getting the GST off is such a good deal - a cash job might
save you 12.5% but not only does it cost the other party nothing and
eliminate their bad debt risk - they are almost certainly saving 33% (or
39%) tax.

Sooner or later, such things are almost certain to catch you up. No, I'm
not, never have been and never will be a tax man! But I do have the luxury
of running my MX5 on my company so GST isn't an issue and I like receipts.

Simon