Where'd my actuator go?

[rejuvinated]

My car had been hit in the left rear wheel. I removed the shock to do repairs and didn't have the actuator on the shock. Can only assume it fell back into the frame. Have tried using a little "grab" type deal to see if I could grab something, but no luck. Any suggestions on on how I might retrieve the actuator?

[Hib Halverson]

Start with a mirror to see where the little bugger went. You may need a pretty small one, even a dental mirror to get in through that hole.

I'll bet you'll see it.

If you do, then it's just a case of the proper tool to snag it or the wire.

[mike100]

Find it and use something sticky if it isn't magnetic an any way. like chewing gum or the better duct tapes on a stick will probably get a hold of it.

[GOLDCYLON]

You only hope it to grab it from the actuator cord and work it through the hole . Trying one of those skiny four/five pronged grabber craw tools is the tool you need that you have been trying. Another option is investing in one of those fiberoptic lighted scopes which as less than $100 these days to see where the little bugger went.

[XfireZ51]

That's what happened to mine. Only it was on left side which had not really been hit.

[rejuvinated]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Here's what's happened:

Well, tried the grabber tool and a magnet...no luck with either one. Way too far down into frame to use a mirror, so I tried using the fiberoptic "snake". Wasn't able to really discern anything at all. Wound up removing both control rods and was able to pull about one inch of the harness out of the lower hole in the frame that is the provision for the mounting bolt on the lower control rod. Cut the harness, fished it out of the hole provisioned in the frame for the upper control rod. This afforded me enough of the harness to solder on the length of wires needed to run back to the actuator. Just got the actuator but before I can install it, I need to get the connector that goes on the harness end.

I've pictures, just have to figure out how to download them to my computer to then download here.

Thanks again,

Bill