My antenna hurled…

[David Suesz]

97 power antenna, switched on the radio, the antenna came up, and just kept coming, up and out of the fender. Antenna seems OK, nylon gear strip not broken. Now what?

 

[koda2000]

97 power antenna, switched on the radio, the antenna came up, and just kept coming, up and out of the fender. Antenna seems OK, nylon gear strip not broken. Now what?

Auto parts stores used to sell a replacement nylon gear strip. I don't know if they still do. Personally, I'd just replace the antenna with a non-power one from the salvage yard or eBay. I've always found power antennas are more trouble than they're worth.

 

[traveler]

On that subject.. For those that would like a power antenna but don't have one. Do all the factory premium sound system have the blue wire (think its blue) for activating an antenna? Even if the truck didn't come with one? Was thinking that a retractable antenna would have its advantages when offroading in the woods.

Sent from my LGL15G using Forum Runner

 

[chefduane]

I have the Mach system that included the power antenna. The biggest advantage to me is when it retracts when going through a carwash. That said, I did have to replace it once due to mast failure (that was before I knew the advantages of a salvage yard.) Bought a new unit - $200+ !! Never again. And it is VERY important to keep it well lubed.

 

[David Suesz]

Auto parts stores used to sell a replacement nylon gear strip. I don't know if they still do. Personally, I'd just replace the antenna with a non-power one from the salvage yard or eBay. I've always found power antennas are more trouble than they're worth.

Hmmm… The nylon gear strip seems to be in perfect condition. The mast has escaped through the bushing at the top of the fender. I've had no trouble for 15 years, and this antenna gets cycled every time I drive, I never drive without the radio on.

So, would replacing the mast do any good? Does the bushing get replaced with the mast? Can I replace just the bushing?

 

[skpyle]

Hello David,

Look very closely at the end of the nylon drive strip. If it is square edged, it has broken. There is a short section left in the drive mechanism. The end of the drive strip is slightly tapered to allow easier feeding into the drive mechanism.

Two years ago, at the advice of others on this forum, I installed a new mast sourced from ebay. No muss, no fuss. Only took around two hours.

-remove antenna bezel then mast tube retaining nut
-jack up, remove front right tire
-remove innner fender liner
-ubolt power antenna assembly from body
-remove electrical connection, don't worry about the antenna cable
-remove round black cover from power antenna assembly
-fish out broken end of drive strip
-reassemble
-extend new mast
-turn on radio
-feed drive strip and mast down antenna tube
-when the drive strip hits bottom, give it a 1/4 turn clockwise to lock it in
-turn off radio (helper would be good)
-help guide the mast down

You might have to seat the drive strip a couple-three times to get it to lock.

The new mast will have instructions.


Good Luck!

Seth K. Pyle

 

[David Suesz]

Hmmm… What normally keeps the antenna from coming completely out of the fender? The lift motor certainly runs a long time trying to bring it up.

 

[koda2000]

Hmmm… What normally keeps the antenna from coming completely out of the fender? The lift motor certainly runs a long time trying to bring it up.

I'm assuming that the power antenna works the same way older ones did. I believe what stops the motor from running is a thermal relay that kicks off when resistance is sensed. I had a power antenna in a late 80's Olds and if I didn't keep it lubricated it would stop 1/2 way up because of the resistance. I also had a power antenna in a street rod I built that would spit out the antenna because the body shop that installed it (tunneled & Frenched into the rear body) left out a piece that prevented it from stopping when the antenna was fully extended (hence no resistance).

 

[David Suesz]

Well, to wrap up, the old mast is gone, the new one in. The old mast had no damage at all to the gear strip, or any of the other gears. The sleeve at the top was just completely worn out, and the mast just came up through it. Pulled the wheel, dropped the fender liner, disconnected the antenna from the panel, but didn't bother to disconnect the wire or cable. I just clamped it to the fender liner. and rebuilt it right there. Cleaned out the old grease, cleaned the parts, reassembled the case, hit the ignition switch, and fed the antenna into the assembly. Put it all back together, ready to go in two hours, and I wasn't even in a hurry.

 

[WokiLoki]

Well to add to the conversation it is good that the antenna did no extra damage to the car. Powered antennas are usually just bad news after a few years..