Fix a stuck power antenna
1 of 4Photo 1: Unbolt the antenna and pull it free
Tilt the bottom of the antenna away from the fender and pull the unit down and
out. That will loosen the rubber gasket and break the unit free.
2 of 4Photo 1A: Close-up of antenna wrench
Use the special wrench to remove the bezel that holds the antenna in place.
3 of 4Photo 2: Out with the old
Cut the old nylon cable with side cutters. Remove the entire cable,
gears and spool and clean all the parts with degreaser.
4 of 4Photo 3: Reinstall the mast and regrease
Install the mast and nylon cable in the housing and mesh the cable
teeth to the drive gear. Install the cover and tighten the screws.
If your power
radio antenna
won't go up and
down anymore, the problem
is either a burned-out
motor or the geared cable inside
the mast. Both are easy DIY fixes.
You can do the entire repair in about two
hours. The parts run about $25 for a new
cable/mast, plus the cost of the special wrench.
Or, pick up a complete junkyard unit for about $75
(that's half the price of a new antenna).
First, make sure the motor works. Have a friend turn on
the radio and listen for motor noise coming from the antenna
area. If it makes noise, it's a candidate for repair. If not,
you'll have to replace it using the steps we show. Next,
order a replacement mast kit from antennamastsrus.com.
The kit includes a new geared nylon cable connected to new
antenna sections. You'll also need a special wrench to
remove the bezel nut (Photo 1A). DON’T use pliers; you'll scratch the
bezel and the paint. Check an auto parts store for one or
order the Steck No. STC21600 (about $18) from amazon.com.
Unscrew the bezel (Photo 1) and remove the antenna retaining
bolts. If your antenna is mounted inside the front fender,
remove the wheel-well liner by pulling out the plastic rivets
and push-in retainers.
Next disconnect the power and coaxial cable connectors
and remove the entire unit from the vehicle (Photo 2). If your
antenna doesn't have a removable coaxial connector, disconnect
the power connectors and perform the mast replacement
while the unit is still connected to the coaxial cable.
Remove the cover screws from the antenna. Then lift the
cover and note the location of the gears, cable spool, washers
and idler roller before you remove them. Next, remove old
mast (Photo 1). Thread the nylon cable and mast into the spool
and reinsert the gears and rollers (Photo 3). Spray all the moving
parts with lithium grease. Reinstall the cover, then plug
in the antenna and reinstall it in the fender or trunk.
