Power Antenna Problems - Not Typical

[Squabble]

hey all, on my '83 300D i'm having some antenna issues.

it started off easy enough. my antenna was stuck, i ordered a new one, i replaced it. things were fine until i screwed it in and tightened it too far. i heard a snap, and the top part of the "screw" broke off. the part that has the two divots on the side to fit a 13mm wrench is now free floating on my antenna and the bottom half of it is stuck down inside, screwed in tightly where it belongs .

and now, for the life of me, i can't figure out how to take apart the bottom of the antenna that holds the antenna in and holds the rubber grommet to the body of the car. i think that if i could get that apart, i could get the bottom of my mast out and put in another new one. can someone help me with that?

the other twist to this story is that my original antenna was "toothed." the replacement that allpartsexpress sent me was smooth. it went in fine and worked great. as stated, the base was threaded and it screwed in. i ordered another antenna, same place, same page, and they sent me a "toothed" antenna that does NOT screw it, it is smooth and appears as though it might snap into place. should i be concerned? is this the wrong part?

i got a new rubber grommet too because i figured if it was all coming apart, i might as well replace it. so it can get thrashed in the removal process, won't hurt a thing.

thanks!!!

[Squabble]

looking around the site and my car i've noticed a couple more things:

first, at the base of my antenna on the body of the car, i have what appears to be two chrome pieces, rather than a single rubber one that some people might have. under the two metal pieces is a rubber piece however. there is a hirschman "h" on the bottom metal piece. there are two notches on the top metal piece. i used them to put two flat head screwdrivers into to try to turn it CCW to see if the top piece would loosen up and come apart from the bottom piece. no dice. it will get somewhat loose but it's not enough to actually come apart.

second, i cannot pull the antenna out from the bottom. i can remove the two screws from the motor box in the trunk and it just hands there freely, it will not move up or down to take the antenna out, motor, mast, and all. no dice.

third, nowhere in the shop manual or in the haynes manual is this procedure discussed. very annoying.

*** added pics: 1: antenna with two metal base parts 2: you can see the notches for the top part 3: the broken part of the mast free floating = can't unscrew it 4: the second antenna sent to me from all parts express. you can see how even the top part is different. i'm concerned it won't fit because it is NOT a screw in and the top is so different looking.

[jt20]

the larger collar with the 2 slots in it has to be removed. Take that and the smaller nut off the top and you should get it.

perhaps you deformed the rubber or broke something which is currently causing abnormal friction in the hole in the body panel?

..but those 2 exterior nuts, along with the mounting points in the trunk, are the only thing holding it.


*there is also a great chance you do not have to remove the smaller exterior nut.

[jt20]

wait, I am sorry.

You cannot get the bottom collar off because it will not pass the smaller nut which will not allow the antenna tip to pass through it?

you must remove the threaded piece of metal from that nut you were tightening then broke.

[Squabble]

Originally Posted by jt20

you must remove the threaded piece of metal from that nut you were tightening then broke.

yes! .....but how?

i couldn't find a good way to do this so i figured i'd just remove the whole thing, antenna, grommet, metal base parts, and all.

are you telling me that this thing will only come apart if you successfully unscrew the base of the mast? because i can't do that with a broken mast...

[jt20]

looking at picture #3 in the second post, you need a mechanical force to oppose the unscrewing of the nut.

since that mast is toast... you could glue the threaded section to the mast.

or.. find a means of holding it in place with pliers etc...


if you really don't give a ship about the mast.... just cut the tip off and remove the collar. everything should pass right through.


you will need to repair your antenna housing