Need help replacing power antena cable

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Mar 13, 2012 | 10:10 PM

Mgrad92

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 390

Likes: 1

From: Livonia MI

Need help replacing power antena cable

I've been able to get the power antena out of my 81 vette, and found that the cable needs to be replaced. The problem is that the antena broke in the full upright position. What's left of the old cable is inside the tube and I can't get to it to pull it out.
Any suggestions?

Mar 14, 2012 | 08:14 AM

Seasoned80

Instructor

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 168

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From: Augusta GA

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...r-antenna.html

Will give you good guidance.

Mar 14, 2012 | 08:26 AM

Mgrad92

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 390

Likes: 1

From: Livonia MI

Thanks for that link.
Do you know if that's the same power antenna as the vette? Mine looks different. I'm thinking that maybe a previous owner put in a replacement unit.
(And unfortunately, the article didn't help with hints on how to get to the cable inside the tube.)

Mar 14, 2012 | 09:25 AM

Seasoned80

Instructor

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 168

Likes: 1

From: Augusta GA

Your antenna (if stock) will not look exactly like the caddy antenna. You must open up the antenna to remove the broken pieces and install new cable.

Mar 14, 2012 | 09:43 AM

Crash80

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 1,323

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From: Castle Hills Texas

Did you unscrew the little disc on the top of the antenna that is threaded onto the drive cable? I believe it is called a finial cap.

Mar 14, 2012 | 09:43 PM

KapsSA

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 4,364

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From: Beecher Illinois

A FACTORY 81 power antenna will look like no 2 in my pic

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-p...-antennas.html

Assuming you have the mast assembly removed from the motor housing, look up through the little hole in the bottom and see if you can see the end of the broken nylon cable. Try spinning the end small mast section around to move the broken end around inside. If you can see it, try getting the tip of a tiny jewelers screwdriver against it while pushing down against the tip.

Otherwise you'll need to remove the piece at the base of the mast tube.

Mar 15, 2012 | 07:47 AM

Mgrad92

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 390

Likes: 1

From: Livonia MI

Thanks, Kaps. I wasn't able to see the cable through the hole in the bottom. How do I remove that nylon end cap? I can't figure out how it's held in there.