Replacement of Antenna Mast

[moohampshire]

I have an 88 300E and I could hear the antenna motor working when your turned radio on and off but the antenna mast would not retract. I got the mast out as described in other threads. The teeth on the plastic piece look in good shape. I clenaed up the mast and plastic piece. I am having trouble getting the motor to pull in the plastic piece with the teeth. I do have the teeth facing backwards as instructed but it won't take. The bottom of the plastic piece is curled up. Any suggestions or tips on what I need to do to get it back in

Thanks for your help in advance.

[donbryce]

If it's a stock Hirschmann, you might save some aggravation by removing it and taking off the housing cover. Inside, there's a little insert inside the tube that the end of the cord hangs on. Easier to do than describe, but you will see when it's apart, and that also gets you into cleaning up the inside too. It's only a 10 minute job to get it out....