My Antenna!
 

I was in a car wash and stupid me forgot to lower the antenna mast. SNAPPO! It's gone, clean off the base of the mast. So, now what? Does something like this get fixed, replaced, rebuilt or exchanged? I would appreciate the advice.... Oh, can something like this be done myself??? Hope all is well with your respective cars...

Try this
 

Randall Kress:
You can also try Fast Lane, it is listed under accessories. There are two types, look at the pictures very closely by clicking on them. The differences are at the base. Hirshman (Big H in the middle of the black cover)are slightly different. Phil should be able to help you.


PeterG



79 300SD 75K miles

those are both good links to replacing the antenna, but now for my real question, and the real problem that needs to be adressed. WHY on God's green earth were you taking your MERCEDES through an automatic car wash?!?!?!??!?!?!??!?!?!? those things are TERRIBLE for your paint, they dont do a good job, and i cringe everytime i see a nice car go in one of those things!
Ryan

Thanks for the insight on relacing the unit... Do you think its something that can be done by myself with regular tools? And for the latter issue of taking the car in an auto wash, well, its good to "weather" body work and for a car that isn't perfect (she needs paint to be a show car) I'll take the strain and stress of a car wash on a less than perfect car. Once I have her re finished, I'll take your advice and hand wash her.

Hey Randall, are you coming to the meet on 6/2?

In Randall's defense
 

NJ has H2O restrictions in many areas that do not allow for car washing. It's either car wash or no wash.

PS, they do find you and ticket you if you wash your car or water your lawn during a drought.

Randall,

I'll give a look at Haynes and see if there is anything in there. I'll also look in my manuals tomorrow and let you know about swapping the antenna.

JCD

Thanks guys! The meet sounds fun on 6/2, however, I have a wedding on 6/1 in Delaware, have to see how that pans out you know... Sounds like this will be the biggest meet yet! I do want to go for sure...

While on the subject
 

I also have an 85 300 SD with an antenna problem. When the antenna goes up at the end of the up it has a racheting growl for a short time any ideas?

That ratcheting growl is the toothed nylon inner part stripping. You should have it replaced, or have the mast cleaned and lubed with graphite. Do not use WD40, it will only dry the antenna out. I would think you may need a new part if its making terrible noise, and not just sticking.

Hey zBenz in North Indiana, I just rebuilt my Hirshmann on my 85 300SD. It's not hard to do. Getting the case apart is a little tricky. I installed my new mast manually by rotating the little pulley and belt little by little but it seems most guys install the new masts by inserting new mast open and turning off the radio. I didn't trust myself with that technique. Clean up the insides of the case as it will be full of crud and grime. Use only silicone spray lube!!!

noisey antenna
 

I run my antenna up until I just hear the growl, then put the switch in center position to stop the motor. Glad to hear there is a fix for it tho'. But I don't use the radio much anyway. Would rather listen to my Sarah Brightman CD's, then listen to annoying DJ's who think they're funny chatter away endlessly:rolleyes:
By the way, that antenna switch is great as a remote off/on switch for a subwoofer. It saved me from having to run another wire back to the trunk. I spliced into the appropriate wire back at the antenna to activate the 'remote power' on the subwoofer amp. I can put the antenna down and put the switch in center position, which still leaves power going back to the antenna, to activate the subwoofer. If you leave the switch in the 'down' position, it turns off the power to the antenna, which in turn turns off the 'remote power' to the subwoofer. Only had to run a large power wire back to the trunk. (I did that, which took about two hours, got the car all back together, then realised I should have run a remote power wire back at the same time. So I found a way around my snaffu.:D )

Personally, I think the cheap Japanese antennaes are superior to the Hirshmann. About $65 at Pep boys,etc. Fully automatic that works with the newer radios... That leaves your antennae button open for other unknown chores.

Ahhhh, Sarah Brightmann...
Also Linda Eder, Lara Fabian, and Celine Dion!

anyone ever replaced antenna motor for w140?