Need a new antenna - replace motor or just the antenna? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rgnprof · #1 05-20-2009, 02:53 PM

What would you guys do? My antenna motor has not worked since I've had the car, and just recently I broke the antenna off. Pulled the motor today and it's toast...

I can buy a new, universal Hirschman replacement antenna for
$50-$60, or I could just replace the antenna mast, leaving it up all the time and call it a day. Probably for $20, or even less...

Since my antenna motor has never worked, I don't know if it's worth the trouble or not? Anyone have any advice?

ryan

Jeremy5848 · #2 05-20-2009, 03:42 PM

The Hirschman OEM antenna is expensive, almost $200. There are also "generic" power antennas for well under $100. OTOH, it is supposed to be possible to take a Hirschman apart and repair it. I have never done that job but there should be people here who can advise you. That and a new mast ($13) and you'll have a working original.

cupj · #3 05-20-2009, 03:53 PM

It depends on what you mean by toast.
Mine was frozen on the 76 300D. Mimicks toast like apperance. Water gets in, the weep hole is clogged and moving parts freeze. Once I established that it still turned. (ie. the actual motor part worked) Took the take up wheel off cleaned it geased it (not the teeth of course). Replaced the bearing that provides the pressure on the antenna tail. 40 minutes and $55 for the new mast.
done

good luck
cj

dieseldiehard · #4 05-20-2009, 04:17 PM

If your lucky you can find sellers who sell tested pulls on eBay. I just got one for $49 and verified that it works yesterday then I discovered I have the wrong seals

The late W124 cars have the antenna tilted back at a slant, the seals I have are for that configuration so the seal is not going to work in the early W124 position unless I cut metal I suppose (anyone ever done this modification before?) The early 124's have a vertical antenna, I think the rakish later antennas are fine but either one will work and all I want is a working antenna!
Look carefully at the connectors on any antennas you are thinking of getting. The early W124 used a 5 pin connector, some used a 4 pin connector and the later MB's use a flat blade type of connector that is not compatible at all with the early models.
Its also a nightmare if you have a model that has the cellfone antenna filter box on it, but who uses in-car cell fones anymore? esp since they stopped selling analog service, anyhow the replacement masts for the cellfone models costs a bunch more!

I want to stay with the original antenna, there are lots of cheap antennas being offered but I saw one on and it wasn't made very well also had some funky strap that is supposed to replace the heavy MB bracket. no thanks!

BTW the center plastic drum in the AUTA models was modified at some point in time, that is what often fails in the W124 Hirschmann antennas. I saw a seller offering the upgrade for about $20 if thats what failed in your antenna it would be a cheap repair (compared to anew antenna!)

rgnprof · #5 05-20-2009, 08:44 PM

I'm pretty sure the motor is shot - rust all over the place and I can't get the thing to run at all. I really don't think my unit is salvageable.

I'm not really considering the expensive replacement, but I was looking at a universal Hirschman - online for $50-$60. ************** sells it for closer to $70, with instructions. Or, I was just looking at replacing the antenna mast and forget about the power antenna feature.

tyl604 · #6 05-21-2009, 10:44 PM

If you go the cheap way and just leave the antenna up all the time, in short order someone will bend it over for you.

shadetreemechan · #7 05-22-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cupj

It depends on what you mean by toast.
Mine was frozen on the 76 300D. Mimicks toast like apperance. Water gets in, the weep hole is clogged and moving parts freeze. Once I established that it still turned. (ie. the actual motor part worked) Took the take up wheel off cleaned it geased it (not the teeth of course). Replaced the bearing that provides the pressure on the antenna tail. 40 minutes and $55 for the new mast.
done

good luck
cj

Where did you get the bearing that puts pressure on the antennae tail? Thats all I need to get mine going.
I would buy another hirshman and keep your old one for parts. They are really easy to work on.