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1989 antenna access

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Old Jul 8, 2008 | 09:30 AM
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Default 1989 antenna access

Need help. If anyone knows how to access the antenna ribbon in a 1989 Corvette I would appreciate your sharing the knowledge with me.

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Old Jul 8, 2008 | 10:20 AM
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Pull the wheel and inner fender and you will have access to the motor/mast.
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Power%20Antenna.pdf
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Old Jul 8, 2008 | 10:37 AM
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If the antenna ribbon is not broken, all you need to do is take the nut off that holds the mast on. It is right on top of the antenna base, you need a tool or you can use needle nose pliers. Then turn your radio on and the the mast will come out.

If your ribbon is broken, you will have to do as agent86 said.
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Old Jul 8, 2008 | 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Randy93
If the antenna ribbon is not broken, all you need to do is take the nut off that holds the mast on. It is right on top of the antenna base, you need a tool or you can use needle nose pliers. Then turn your radio on and the the mast will come out.

If your ribbon is broken, you will have to do as agent86 said.
That works for the newer motors. The older C4's use a nylon rod with a metal hooked end. The only way to replace, is to remove the unit and take it apart.
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Old Jul 8, 2008 | 11:08 AM
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Actually, I think the old ones ended in 87, so you may be able to do the replacement from the top. I need to do some more homework.
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Old Jul 8, 2008 | 11:16 AM
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Yup, they changed to the gear type ribbon in 88.
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette-3-308-1072.html
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Old Jul 8, 2008 | 03:38 PM
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...i doubt that the ribbon became detached, but more-so believe it is broken (or at least that the mast is binding)...i have an 88 and i accessed the antenna and removed same laying on my back from underneath the rear 1/4 of the car...it was EASY and did not require the wheel to be removed although, that would be your choice....once you remove the antenna/housing, open it up CAREFULly so that you don't loose any parts and get a replacement ribbon assembly from that big auction site....be sure to clean out and re-lube all the internals....

(also posted this in your "for sale" section listing)
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 01:18 AM
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My '89 was a breech loader, I couldn't do it from the top. All the instructions had me believe it would be a muzzle loader.

Had to remove the antenna from the wheel well, separate the guide tube from the motor housing, and load the antenna into the tube from the bottom. Feed the ribbon into the motor then re-attach the tube.
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 08:08 AM
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Originally Posted by jmartynuska
My '89 was a breech loader, I couldn't do it from the top. All the instructions had me believe it would be a muzzle loader.

Had to remove the antenna from the wheel well, separate the guide tube from the motor housing, and load the antenna into the tube from the bottom. Feed the ribbon into the motor then re-attach the tube.
I'm curious cause my antenna isn't working properly, and discounted power cause I use Ipod, but was your antenna housing in case in a rubber boot. If it was you have GM, if not it was aftermarket. I also need to buy, but not sure what and how to replace it.
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 08:12 AM
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.....the antenna housing should be encased in the boot/sleeve for weatherproofing....just roll it back (muscle it off) and go to it.....
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 09:00 AM
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You're still gonna' have to remove the entire motor to do the job properly. You probably have a broken section of old nylon ribbon that's jamming your gears.

If you don't open up the unit to remove the broken section of ribbon, threading a new mast down the hole won't do any good....for long.
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by onedef92
You're still gonna' have to remove the entire motor to do the job properly. You probably have a broken section of old nylon ribbon that's jamming your gears.

If you don't open up the unit to remove the broken section of ribbon, threading a new mast down the hole won't do any good....for long.

...that was what i was trying to get across...however, i took an old milk crate and placed the motor unit on that w/out having to disconnect ANY wires from the car...this way i could test it right there wjhen done or in the process of fixing it...as said again, any rribbon pieces need to be removed from the housing.....
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Old Jul 9, 2008 | 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by 1bdvet
I'm curious cause my antenna isn't working properly, and discounted power cause I use Ipod, but was your antenna housing in case in a rubber boot. If it was you have GM, if not it was aftermarket. I also need to buy, but not sure what and how to replace it.

My antenna was encased in a rubber boot.....
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Old Jul 10, 2008 | 02:14 AM
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I want to thank you all for your input. You have been very helpful!

IndianLan
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Old Jul 11, 2008 | 01:38 AM
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I just replaced my mast yesterday because it did not retract the last 10 inches. When I finally got the old mast out, I discovered that the ribbon was still intact. Go figure. At least the new antenna retracts all the way. I want to thank all the posts here for providing very useful info and pics. Couldn't have performed the operation
without you. The job is time consuming but not difficult.
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Old Jul 11, 2008 | 04:46 PM
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