Attempting to install new antenna mast. Old one was broken off (completely) a number of months ago. I don't recall seeing any plastic line come off with the antenna. When I attempt to feed the new antenna line, it gets gripped and is pulled in, but the motor stops with about a foot of line still exposed. So I can only assume the the old line is still in there, blocking the feed of the new line.

What's involved in getting the old line out, if in fact that's the problem?

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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

I've done it but my memory is really bad. I disassembled the motor assembly to do it but for the life of me I can't remember the exact process.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Make sure when you get ready to install the mast the antenna is in the fully extended position as if the antenna is all the way up. Push the plastic part of the mast as far in the antenna as possible and with a few tries I think you will have done it correctly. If you still had plastic stuff in there it probably wouldn't work at all as it would be jammed up. Also don't be afraid to take the antenna apart as it probably has a bunch of junk in the bottom from rain and road salt (if you live in North). The antenna is not that complicated if you are even mildly talented it can be taken apart, cleaned and regreased with lubriplate or light white lithium grease.

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83 300CDTurbo 307,000
2005 Honda Element 266,000
56 Nash Ambassador Country Club Special 34,000(under restoration presently)

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=125099

You shouldn't need to take the antenna apart. Need to remove all the remaining plastic stuffs from the antenna box.

1) remove the new mask ( the one you inserted ) by turning on the radio.
2) After the new mask is out turn on/off the radio a few times to get the old remaining plastic out. It should come out unless it is stuck.
3) Insert the new mask until it is gripped by the mechanism inside.
4) The whole mask should go in completely. Tighten the nut.

If all failed then you need to open up the body of the antenna. Move the spooler by turning the plastic belt up or down. One direction is to thread it in the other is to spit it out.

Good luck.

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Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

No plastic comes out (after many times off and on), so I guess I need to open body of antenna.

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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

Its pretty straight forward in there. Have some lithium grease handy and lube up everything while in there, and make sure all the rubber bushings are in the correct location before snapping it back together. You will see the bushings once you have it apart.

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1985 300 TD 448K
1984 300 TD 278K

1983 240D euro 240k
1994 f-250 idi turbo 330K
1986 f-350 IDI
1987 F-350 IDI

1985 JD 1050 4wd
1965 IH 3660