Antenna Mast Replacement

[mbwebb]

Bought the antenna mast replacement kit from Ecklers(for my 1994). Got the old antenna out, compared it to the new antenna and the zip strips are the exact same length. The problem I am having is when I installed the new one, it will only go about half way down. I have installed and uninstalled it several times with the same outcome. Also, I ran it up and down per the instructions and it still will not go down all the way. Anybody else have any better luck than me? Thanks, Matt

 

[Schrade]

Welcome onto the boards there...

I just did mine this spring, with an aftermarket antenna from Advance / Zone. Fit like a glove. I had to splice a lead into an existing terminal, and give the mounting tangs a little boost, to get the retracted position at the right height. And now workin' like a charm.

If yours isn't working properly, it could be a re-man. Does Eckler's take the core?

I have my old one that you can have for postage. Motor works fine. I had the last 4 inches of the tape drive is chewed, and won't retract the last 4". Replacement tape drives are $35 about...

 

[John Robinson]

Bought the antenna mast replacement kit from Ecklers(for my 1994). Got the old antenna out, compared it to the new antenna and the zip strips are the exact same length. The problem I am having is when I installed the new one, it will only go about half way down. I have installed and uninstalled it several times with the same outcome. Also, I ran it up and down per the instructions and it still will not go down all the way. Anybody else have any better luck than me? Thanks, Matt

Did you remove the cover on the antenna motor and remove the broken pieces of the antenna cable.

 

[mbwebb]

Did you remove the cover on the antenna motor and remove the broken pieces of the antenna cable.

Like I said in my original post, I measured the length of the old antenna mast zip strip compared to the new one and they are both the exact same length. With that being said I wouldn't think there would be any broken pieces to remove.

 

[John Robinson]

Like I said in my original post, I measured the length of the old antenna mast zip strip compared to the new one and they are both the exact same length. With that being said I wouldn't think there would be any broken pieces to remove.

If it was not broken or the teeth stripped off it would still be working. I think you should look inside the cover were the cable goes because I believe you will find it has a piece of broken cable in it. The cable length is only relative to the length of the mast it needs to move. It is possible that the one you bought is not the exact same size as the original.

 

[mbwebb]

The reason for replacing the original was because it was bent and would not retract all the way. On the other hand you have a good point, I just measured the zip strip and did not compare the mast lengths. I will check that as soon as I get home from work. Thanks, Matt

 

[mbwebb]

After messing around trying to get the new mast in, I have finally given up. When the motor runs and tries to suck in the new mast it still will not go all the way in. It sounds and feels as if the gear is slipping on the spindle or there are some teeth stripped on the gear. My next question is where can one obtain the cheapest OEM replacement motor. Thanks, Matt

 

[Schrade]

After messing around trying to get the new mast in, I have finally given up. When the motor runs and tries to suck in the new mast it still will not go all the way in. It sounds and feels as if the gear is slipping on the spindle or there are some teeth stripped on the gear. My next question is where can one obtain the cheapest OEM replacement motor. Thanks, Matt

Cheapest OEM replacement? Hmm... :confused

Free is pretty cheap. From my post (post #2 above):

Welcome onto the boards there...

I just did mine this spring, with an aftermarket antenna from Advance / Zone. Fit like a glove. I had to splice a lead into an existing terminal, and give the mounting tangs a little boost, to get the retracted position at the right height. And now workin' like a charm.

If yours isn't working properly, it could be a re-man. Does Eckler's take the core?

I have my old one that you can have for postage. Motor works fine. I had the last 4 inches of the tape drive is chewed, and won't retract the last 4". Replacement tape drives are $35 about...

Sorry if my Swahili is hard to read there... :L

 

[John Robinson]

If you take the antenna out you will see a cover over the gear box. It may be riveted on or held in place with small screws. Remove that cover and you will see the gears and any broken mast pieces will be trapped there.

But from your latest information I would suggest you have a mechanic that has replaced masts try to get yours to work. When I tried to do mine I had trouble getting it to go all the way down and I had a friend that was a mechanic try and it went the first time he did it.

That is cheaper then a new antenna and since the motor still runs on yours it is probably OK. It would be a lot faster and cheaper to slip someone a ten to help do this than the cost of a new antenna.

Good Luck Your at the door of success just knock and go in

 

[KANE]

I wonder if I can use that kit on my Trans Am. ;squint:


Will this kit work on other GM cars?

The motor seems to work fine for my antenna- it just won't retract. I'd rather NOT spend $100+ on a <$100 problem.


Any thoughts?

 

[Schrade]

I wonder if I can use that kit on my Trans Am. ;squint:


Will this kit work on other GM cars?

The motor seems to work fine for my antenna- it just won't retract. I'd rather NOT spend $100+ on a <$100 problem.


Any thoughts?

The one that I got from Advance / Zone was multi-GM application. There's a fork-like pair of mounting tangs that I had to bend upwards about 3/8" to get it flush.

 

[mbwebb]

Schrade, I sent you a private message.

 

[Schrade]

Old antenna pics (mast removed, gearing cleaned).

PM your email if you want full size pics...

 

[mbwebb]

Which wires to test

Got my antenna out. Now the question..........in order to test the antenna with it out, which wires out of the orange, pink and black should I make hot to see if the antenna works properly before I put everything in?

 

[mbwebb]

Fixed At Last

A BIG thanks goes out to SCHRADE for the antenna motor. Got it back in and works like a charm. Glad to see there are still some generous folks in this country!!!!!