RTH needed: Replacing Antenna Mast

[bnaquin]

I can't seem to find my online link to the service manuals so I'm not sure of my next step.

Do I need to remove the antenna motor assembly to replace the mast? I can't see any way to remove the antenna guide without removing the entire assembly.

Thanks.

[dannym]

If it's the original antenna it's easy to replace.

Unscrew the top of the antenna housing.
Have a helper hit the antenna switch to raise it. Keep an eye on it, if it has teeth notice which way they are pointing.
The antenna should come out in your hand.
Place the new antenna into the hole with the teeth aligned in the same direction.
Have your helper hit the switch to lower the antenna. The antenna should draw back down into the housing.
After it's fully withdrawn screw the cap back on.

If for some reason this doesn't work you can open the housing and draw it in by hand.

Danny

[bnaquin]

Yes, it's the original antenna and I ordered one with teeth to replace it (old one has teeth too). Thanks.

[tyl604]

That does not sound exactly correct. You will need to pull out the mast and the plastic cord and it may take some effort; you will actually pull the cord out of the antenna motor. To reinstall make sure the teeth (if you have teeth - some do not) on the new cord face the right way, slide it down until you feel it stop (it will probably stop about six inches before it gets to the motor because there is a small feeder hole that you must hit). Wiggle it around until it hits the feeder hole (you will notice that the end of the cord is pointed and that is why) and then you can feed it down about four to six more inches where it will engage the antenna motor. Turn off the radio and the motor should pull in the antenna mast. Then screw it back to the car.

[bgkast]

Yes, you do not need to pull the motor. I just did this job, but I unnecessarly pulled the motor. Just unscrew the small top nut, raise the antenna all the way up, yank the old one out, thread the new one in and retract the antenna. You may have to run it up and down a few times to get it to fully retract.

[bnaquin]

Thanks for the help everyone. This is probably the easiest thing I've ever had to replace. Literally took less than five minutes.