Uro antenna masts are also garbage
 

Everybody generally agrees that Uro brand parts are generally crap, but somewhere on this forum posts suggest that maybe Uro makes an OK antenna mast replacement for your Hirschmann power antenna unit. Guess what?

I've got the stock Hirschmann 6000 EL unit my w124 300D, and up until recently was working with what I'm pretty sure was the original mast. It started getting sluggish and having difficulty extending section without "assist". Taking apart the unit, realized it was just the antenna as no other internal parts of the motor assembly were worn or broken (that amazed me - it looked new inside not even dirty!). So I order a brand-unadvertised replacement mast from a very popular and highly rated supplier of such on ebay.

To my disappointment: when I got the package the bag said URO. Further to my disappointment, the same seller posts Hirschmann brand antenna correct for my car while this one was on my way. Was considering "trading up" and seller would have entertained the idea too, but I figured I have it now I'll give it a try.

Well, I'm here to inform you that Uro masts are crap!

Installed and within 2 months the topmost section of the mast is corroding and darkening to black. The other sections remain shiny and chrome. The whole thing is also little wobbly when extended.

So just for the record, URO = GARBAGE, in all respects related to car parts.

I hope this post clears up any hope for Uro. For the record, avoid ALL things from them.

On my mother's 300TE we got a cheap "APA" brand antenna mast. Same deal like you said - the top most section is darkened and the rest is shiny. Original replacement Hirschmann antenna is around $40+ now (maybe more), but the APA unit was $15. :rolleyes:

Uro, APA, and FEQ (First Equipment Quality) are all garbage. I suspect they are different names for the same company. Click here for a comprehensive vendor quality list, and remember that you get what you pay for.

:nuke:

Update... that reputable vendor on ebay came through for me! Very soon after showing pictures of the rusted URO mast I asked if I could pay the difference and get the Hirschmann part. "YES" was the answer, to get this customer happy. So he did, he even paid the shipping for the second try. That one I'm happy to say has worked perfectly since I put it in. He didn't need to have the old part back, just the photo was enough.

Scanning ebay now, I see that the cheap-o antenna masts have moved toward using black plastic as the topmost segment of the antenna. That's an interesting solution for the problem of top segment rusting, make it rust-proof. Oh ya, plastic doesn't actually work for picking up radio waves from the air, you know, what an antenna is meant to do. I guess "function doesn't follow form" is their motto... Or "as long as it looks good" it's a good part. :rolleyes:

The top most plastic part antennas were for cars which had the cellular phone installed - they are quite short too.

my car has this and Im using a uro mast which I oil every fill up. Its still clean and shiny. The original hirschmann mast has a wire that goes to the topmost metal tip piece of the antenna. The URO does not have this wire as the tip part is also plastic.

My antenna was a dead case, I sourced a controller board (odd design on this model) - new MB grommets and URO mast. I'll try an original mast when this one goes bad.

Hirschmann's site indicates they make 2 types of antennas: stainless steel and steel plated with brass/chrome finish. My motor (Hirschmann of America remanufactured 124.820.17.75) has stopped working, and for the 5 yrs I've owned it, it's always needed the "assist" to get it up. Is there a test to confirm motor failure? And assuming I need to replace the motor - any recommendations. I found a youtube video offering a Hirschmann Universal $68?, but saying it didn't fit/adapt easily to 124s, and didn't mention wagons or mast materials. If anyone has mods that work well, I'm interested. I can't remember if I changed masts on this car or on my previous 124TD, or which brand I installed, but I've seen brass where it's worn through, and it requires clean & lube 4-6 times per year to retract fully. Thanks and Merry Motoring!

87 300TD 326k

the motor part of a hirschmann antenna is a small motor that runs a belt - its pretty generic over the hirschmann range - so grab a busted antenna from any german car from the yard - they all have the same motor inside.

Use superlube branded teflon grease to lube the internal parts. I rebuilt my sedan antenna and lubed it correctly - Its working flawlessly and I always lube the mast every fill up. Its quiet as a mouse and fast to work.

I was surprised to see MTC in the bottom category. I thought their stuff came in at an acceptable price/quality ratio....

wow!! Do they make anything good? :)

now thats a good seller! Whats the seller ID? good thread..kudos to Zulifigar for rebuild the 'tenna

I could use a OE mast for my 97 SL320 , so far the best $ I have come up with is $ 75. I was tempted to use the $ 20 mast but given the radio has been out for a year to get a volume control and cap change, there hasn't been any great pressing need.

Thanks, Zulfi, inspired by your post I pulled out the mast motor cleaned out a bunch of black chafe in the superlube and plastic sprocket teeth. I worked out the mast and lubed it, there are a few major sticking points for the mast, going both up and down, usually where mast stages seat or engage the next stage. Does that indicate the need for a new mast? I just tried reconnecting the plug and turning on the ignition, but the motor did not engage. I don't have a spare Hirschmann motor, but I'm inspired to search one out. I hope there's nothing wrong with the EC board above the motor.

Scott do you want to share the ebay seller info, price and better brand name of your new mast?

the little belt motor itself can be checked with a 12V source. if it runs its good - your problem is either the board or the wiring from the car.

The wiring has one constant 12V+ve one ground and one signal from the radio as 12V+ve. this signal is constant as long as the radio is running which keeps the antenna up (my car does not have an antenna button on the console) - once the radio or ignition is shut off the constant 12V+ve signal will cause the board to reverse the motor and pull in the antenna.

my car's controller board had sipped some gulps of water due to the bad grommet which caused the "PCB smoke ghost" to leave the board. :D

anyway - for the mast sticking remove it from the antenna case and work it manually - it should move rather easily, if its sticking whilst inside the casing then check that you have the correct mast for your antenna model or check the tube for dirt or any other piece stuck in it.