I took apart a splitter for a pair of BOSE earbuds, and discovered a small circuit board inside. While investigating, two of what I believe to be inductors fell off and I was wondering why they fell off, how to indicate which side is negative, and by what method should re-attach them?
They are not polarized.
This is not a splitter , it is just the Y connection to the head.
Re-soldering requires experience in SMT solder paste and thermal reflow with a hot-air nozzle , a special tool
If you can't fix it, you can always tried to bypass the contacts.
They probably came off from poor design or assembly, insufficient solder or overstressed by a user. Something this size probably needs and a structural agent to stiffen the PCB.
I do have a hot-air nozzle, so I'll just go get some SMT solder paste. Structurally I will try to make do with the plastic left over from disassembly and some heat shrink tubing. If I'm unsuccessful I'll do just that and bypass the contacts. Thank you.