Does anyone know how to properly line up the gears in a power antennae (other than spending hours playing hit and miss)? I got a new mast, but can't get the gears back in line so up is fully up and down is fully down.

Mike

I have the same problem. At first I replaced the mast and it worked ok. It would stay about 1-1/2" extended. Sometimes it would go all the way down and get stuck forcing me to pull it out with plyers. I got frustrated and dissassembled the motor and accomplished nothing. Everything looked fine. All I did was make it worse. It stays 12" extended now. I can get a replacement motor for it for $125.00 but it is just not a priority. I know I'm not much help, maybe someone can add input.

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1982 300D Turbo "Helga"
380,000 miles

Someone has the opportunity to be hero...mine does the same thing. 12" is as low as it will go. Haven't a clue of how to fix it.

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1976 240D
1987 560SL
2007 E320 Bluetec
1998 C280 (now son’s car)
1982 240D Manual - Sold

Mine work fine after replacement, although if it doesn't go all the way down, you may need some more grease on the "tail" of the mast.

Try this: remove bezel and run antennae all the way up til it comes free, but don't pull it out. Wait until the motor stops, then have someone swith the antannae down, make sure the "tail" grabs right away and feeds freely all the way down. The up and down points are set by the stall position of the motor at the bottom of travel.

I also lubricated the antannae on the Volvo with some silicone spray since it didn't want to go all the way down. Works much better now.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

There is a factory store for the antennas located in Newjersey.Some years back I had to do a gear replacement.They told me how.They may have a web site.I have seen adds in the club magazine.Good luck Michael Rybikowsky.

1. unscrew the retaining device (bezel?) at the base of the antenae shaft,
2. turn on radio causing antenae to come out....as this is happening, feed it out with your hands...help it along but dont force it. At this time, note which direction the teeth on the nylon antenae cable face...I believe they face toward the front of the car.

3. When the motor stops, you should be able to remove the antenae.

4. Take new antenae and position the toothed side of the nylon cable the same as the one removed...again, i believe they should face toward the front of the car. Insert it into the hole as far as it can go. Jiggle it as it goes in to ensure you feed it in to the point where it rests on the gear...the "feel" you should detect is not a solid hard stop, but a softer stop, as the gear will have a little motion when you hit it. If you feel a hard solid stop, back off a little, jiggle the nylon cord and attempt to go past...you will find that you can go another few inches.

5. When you are sure you are against the gear, with the teeth on the nylon cable pointing straight forward, have someone turn off the radio as you are holding the antenae. Apply a little force at this point to make sure the internal gear grabs the toothed nylon cord and feed it in...dont force it, just feed it in as the motor/gear draws it in. If the gear inside does not immediately grasp the nylon cord, it was not resting against the gear. In this case repeat the procedure.

6. Once the antenae is drawn in, tighten the retainer andyou are done.

good luck,

Mark

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1984 300TD Wagon, 407,800 mi (current daily driver)
1985 300DT Sedan, 330,000 mi (gone to that great autobahn in the sky)

Mark is right. You need someone else to turn off the radio for you. Once on, and the new mast fully extended, you simply insert the new nylon toothed cable into the motor housing until it intersects the teeth and have someone turn the radio off.

Good luck...

Mav

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'91 350SDL 165K miles
Lovin' her until she blows...
'01 Dodge Ram Cummins 4X4 DWR
Stump pullin' beast...

In case you aren't too worried about originality, an aftermarket fully-automatic antennae made in Japan, are truly excellent pieces, and about $65.

I bought one at Kragens, or was it Pep Boys... and installed it on a Jaguar. It is very quiet and slick. A friend also installed one on his beloved 92 Acura Legend to replace the original and it functions perfectly, and is actually quieter.

$.02

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Ed
1981 300CD (Benzina)
1968 250 S (Gina) 266,000 miles!
1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 (Guido)
1976 Jaguar XJS-saved a V-12 from the chevy curse, what a great engine!
1988 Cadillac Eldorado (better car than you might think!)
1988 Yamaha Venture (better than a Wing!)
1977 Suzuki GS750B
1976 Yamaha XS 650 (sold)
1991 Suzuki GSX1100G (Shafty Gixser)
1981 Yamaha VX920RH (Euro "Virago")
Solex Moped
1975 Dodge P/U camper


"Time spent in the company of a cat, a beer, and this forum, is not time wasted!"

well, after fiddling around this weekend, i've made the problem worse. the small black plastic 1/2" gear that operates the metal switches broke! i wonder if i can get a replacement piece. i don't want to have to get a whole new motor for such a small piece.

Time for a trip to the u-pull-it type yard and dig out a replacement.

Most likely the "tail" on the antenna needed some grease.

The other thing that breaks on these guys is the peg on the driven gear that goes into the spring -- if you have an intact gear, I have a power antenna out of a 1988 300TE that is perfect except for the gear being broken. I did a swap with one from a 190D.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Hi guys. I got my car used and not in the best condition but it was a nice price. Anyway the previous owner inserted a coat hanger in the antenna. I'm not sure if the motor works or if I just need a new mast.
Another thing is I would be interested in the Japanese antenna replacement that 240 ED used. My car is a 1985 500SEL which I believe has a switch to extend the antenna rather than just turning the radio on and off.

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1985 500SEL 124k miles
2001 Honda Civic EX

Snowman:

A coat hanger is a $15,000 car? What next???!!!

Pull the coat hanger out and have someone operate the switch while you listen -- if the motor runs, try a new mast (instructions above) - they are about $35. If the mast it broken off or worse, yanked out, you will need to take the motor out and take the cover off -- it snaps on -- and check that the tongue isn't broken off the driven gear. If it is, the motor isn't connected to the mast drive "tail" anymore. I have heard there are replacement gears available somewhere, but I just ran down the the "you pull it" yard and scarfed one.

If the motor doesn't run, check fuses, then if they are OK, find a replacement at a junkyard. An exhange rebuild is about $150.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Well actually I don't think my 1985 500SEL is worth that much, but yeah I still don't like the sight of that coat hanger. I will try you advice on Friday when I finally have some free time. Thanks for the info.

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1985 500SEL 124k miles
2001 Honda Civic EX