81 Antenna
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 70
Likes: 7
From: St. Louis MO
81 Antenna
The antenna on my 81 goes up but will not go down even with the key out the motoer for the antenna just keeps whirlling. Can it be fixed? are replacements easy to come by? Easy job?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 594
Likes: 3
From: Peoria IL
Sounds like the nylon mast inside the antenna is busted. can you lower the antenna by hand (gently!!) if so then push it down and then remove the motor assy from underneath - one bolt holds it to the bracket in the fender then an earth strap and the 3 wire motor harness.
Remove the metal clips all around the outside of the motor assy and then drill out the rivets , you can then pry the two pieces apart , they are stuck with sealant around the wire harness. If the mast is broken , you will see. You can get a new mast assy from Rik's corvette for abour $30 with shipping. Its pretty easy to replace.
Remove the metal clips all around the outside of the motor assy and then drill out the rivets , you can then pry the two pieces apart , they are stuck with sealant around the wire harness. If the mast is broken , you will see. You can get a new mast assy from Rik's corvette for abour $30 with shipping. Its pretty easy to replace.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,502
From: Little Rock AR
Pull the carpet away from the drivers side rear inner wheel well and disconnect the harness plug. That will stop the motor. Disconnect the antenna cable. Push the harness out the back of the passenger compartment by popping out the rubber plug. You might want to drop the exhaust at the rear but you might be able to leave it there. unscrew the bezel on top of the fender. Disconnect the bracket holding the bottom of the antenna. Out she comes. 
The kit to rebuild it is about $20 and you will need some nuts and bolts to reassemble the housing when you are done. Easy job for a saturday morning.
I needed to use a dremel to cut the rivit heads because they started spinning when I went to drill them out. Be Careful with the plastic housing. No replacements available.
-Mark.
The kit to rebuild it is about $20 and you will need some nuts and bolts to reassemble the housing when you are done. Easy job for a saturday morning.
I needed to use a dremel to cut the rivit heads because they started spinning when I went to drill them out. Be Careful with the plastic housing. No replacements available. -Mark.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,502
From: Little Rock AR
Try to get to it from the underside. You might get lucky and be able to unscrew it from there using a channel lock pliers. Never tried it as my bezel was not stuck. I just used duct tape to protect the paint then used a needle nose pliers in the grooves to unscrew it.
Dr. Rebuild has the kits.
-Mark.
Dr. Rebuild has the kits.
-Mark.
