Where'd my actuator go? - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

rejuvinated · 12-22-2011

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 · 12-22-2011

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 · 12-22-2011

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 · 12-23-2011

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 · 12-24-2011

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

rejuvinated · 01-04-2012

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

12-22-2011	#1
rejuvinated Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Mt Pleasant, SC Posts: 9	Where'd my actuator go? 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? Last edited by rejuvinated; 12-22-2011 at 12:19 AM. Reason: typo

12-22-2011	#2
Hib Halverson Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: CenCoast California Posts: 899	Re: Where'd my actuator go? 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. __________________ Hib Halverson Technical Writer former owner 95 VIN 0140 current owner 19 VIN 1878

12-22-2011	#3
mike100 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: San Marcos CA Posts: 1,801	Re: Where'd my actuator go? 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.

12-23-2011	#4
GOLDCYLON Join Date: May 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 9,151	Re: Where'd my actuator go? 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. __________________ GOLDCYLON - 91 ZR-1 #2014 GOLDCYLON - 90 ZR-1 #2794, 4L60e (Formerly Schrade's) GOLDCYLON - 11 CTS-V Arizona State Director 91 WHITE/BLACK #2014. 380 P&P&PCed,Ported Heads, Jeal Long tubes, Corsa Exhaust/FIKSE FM-5s /LED TLs, LED Headlights, Front Wilwood 6 piston narrowlite calipers and rear Wilwood caliper street shop mod,CNCed Coolant Pipes,TPI Cvr,Filter cover,Stainless Bolts, DRM/DOM PROM /ZFDOC mod build #102,DRLs,BMAD with stainless Debris Screen,Coplan Air Blaster, Pioneer APP Radio 4,Brey-Krause HB,Sub Bar,Fire extinguisher seat mount,DRM Coilovers,LEDs everywhere,Compass mirror (orange),V1 DIC hidden display, Homelink sun visor, Carbon Fiber top x3 and APSIS Carbon Fiber interior, APSIS CF Steering Wheel/NAPA Leather, Banski trailing arms, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension) ZFDoc drive shaft safety loop, raptor shift light (orange),AO engineering louver front plate, Console seat cushion, 96CE seats with black custom Sheepskins, ss billet catch can,Viper remote entry/alarm,Cragar Rear Louvers,LED side louver lights, Dewitts Radiator with SPAL fans and a Woods 160 T-Stat 90 RED/BLACK #2794. 4L60e Automatic Stage V by RPM Transmission, TCI Dedicated TCM, OBX Stainless Headers, Corsa Exhaust, SAN Secondaries and Haibeck PROM, Exotic Muscle Coil overs, LED Interior Lights, LED Tail Lights, LED Headlights, 94 Sport seats with black custom Sheepskins , Cragar rear louvers, GS Front calipers, Banski Trailing arms, APSIS Carbon Fiber steering wheel, Front and Rear Baer Eradispeeds, DRLs, Guldstrand front suspension,urethane bushings from Prothane (total suspension), Dewitt's Raditor with Dual SPAL fans and a Haibeck 170 T-Stat 11 RED/GREY CTS-V Last edited by GOLDCYLON; 12-23-2011 at 11:49 PM.

12-24-2011	#5
XfireZ51 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 9,710	Re: Where'd my actuator go? That's what happened to mine. Only it was on left side which had not really been hit.

01-04-2012	#6
rejuvinated Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Mt Pleasant, SC Posts: 9	Re: Where'd my actuator go? 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

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