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Enter, o' seeker of knowledge...


How to replace a C4 Corvette antenna mast
by Julian Shipp

Here are the instructions for removing the power antenna motor for service BEFORE installing a new antenna mast on 1992-1996 Corvettes.

The power antenna motor is visible from underneath the vehicle if you lay on your back and look at it from the driver's side of your car. Please protect your eyes from dirt and other particles that may fall from your fender well while you are working! Some people have opted to place their vehicles on jack stands and remove the driver's side rear wheel first, but I have long arms and did not have to do so.

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal. Note the way the motor is oriented as installation is the exact order of removal. The motor is held in place on its mounting bracket by two screws. Use either a socket wrench with an extension or a screwdriver with a ratchet to remove the bolts. Note that one of the bolts has a ground/power wire for the antenna.

2. With these two bolts loosened, you will be able to pull the antenna down toward you enough to loosen the antenna gain and positive power wires located at the top of the unit. With all these wires removed, the entire assembly can be pulled down for access while leaving the wire that lead inside the motor housing intact.

3. With the unit now in your hand, roll up the black rubber sleeve that protects the unit from moisture, dirt, etc. There are approximately four Phillips head screws that hold the cover on the motor housing. Remove these screws. Also, remove the center nut that holds the antenna flywheel in place. With the cover off, you will see the flywheel and the main gear that raises and lowers the nylon antenna ribbon. You will also more than likely find bits or long sections of your OLD ribbon. Remove them.

4. Now is the time to lubricate the main gear and flywheel with either Vaseline or white lithium grease to ensure years of trouble-free operation with your new ribbon.

5. Replace the flywheel (noting its direction) and screw the cover back into place. Re-install the antenna, connect all the wiring and hook your battery back up. Turn on the ignition and radio and listen to see if the motor runs. If it does, you are ready to install your new mast.

Just follow the directions that came with it and you should be in great shape. Above all, be patient. It took me about four hours the first time I did this because I thought you had to remove the license plate, tail lamps and back up lamps to get to the motor. You don't! I could now do the whole thing again in 30 to 40 minutes (but hopefully not on MY LT-1 any time soon!)

 

Good info

 

I did mine and it is much easier to jack it up and take off the right rear tire and remove the the wheel well liner. When you put the new ribon in the teeth face to the outside,not the back , the front or the inside. When pushing the ribon in at first you will feel a little resistance keep pushing past that, then it will grab. you might have to turn it on and off a couple of times to pull the mast all the way down. Did my 95 piece of cake.

 

Great info Does anyone have an opinion about the cut off switch for the antenna? I listen to the CD or tapes most of the time and wonder if this would be worth while to save wear and tear on the antenna?

 

RollaMoLT4 has Sat radio so he installed one. He says he loves it and it's worth the money. (it's not expensive, less than 20 bucks I think)

 

I installed one in my car as well. Ordered it from MAM I think, but some CF guys just get a simple switch with some lead wires at Radio Shack or an electronics store and splice it right in. Seems to work ok and saves more cash for the important things...like 92 octane!

astepup said that

 

That's sure easier than on my '87. Somebody wrote
that on the early C4s they hung the antenna from the
ceiling and built the rest of the car around it. That's
not far wrong.


Chuck

 

How did you remove the motor.

 

With much effort. I don't remember the details but
do remember removing interior trim and the left rear
wheel, and at least loosening them inner fender well.
And wishing I had smaller hands (but be careful about
asking your SO to help their -- there are lots of sharp
edges). I'd guess it took 12 hours spread over several
weeks (it was winter for an occasionally driven car).

The antenna (from mid-America) came with some
instructions which were vague, but still helpful.