Antenna mast replacement
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
Antenna mast replacement
I am in the process of selling my '91 coupe and the antenna won't retract fully. The one that is on the car now is the second one I put in since I had the car. The first replacement worked great - antenna extended and retracted exactly as it should. It eventually broke. The next one I installed (the on that is on the car now) never worked properly. It retracts partially and I can hear the motor continue to run after the antenna stops so I'm not concerned about chaning out the motor (thank God).
Questions:
If a piece of the nylon drive strip breaks off, does it just fall out the bottom of the antenna when the new mast is installed or is it possible I have a chunk of drive strip in the antenna that causes the unit not to function properly?
I sold my shop manuals and cannot for the life of me remember which direction the ratchet part of the drive strip should face.
To the front
To the rear
Facing left
Facing right
Any help or suggestions anyone can offer would be appreciated.
Charlie
Questions:
If a piece of the nylon drive strip breaks off, does it just fall out the bottom of the antenna when the new mast is installed or is it possible I have a chunk of drive strip in the antenna that causes the unit not to function properly?
I sold my shop manuals and cannot for the life of me remember which direction the ratchet part of the drive strip should face.
To the front
To the rear
Facing left
Facing right
Any help or suggestions anyone can offer would be appreciated.
Charlie
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
If there is still a piece inside, you'll need to open the cable drum. It's that black round "thing" next to the motor. If memory serves me correctly, it's a couple small hex head screws holding on the cover. Once open becareful not tear the gasket if there is one. Pull out the broken piece/pieces then reattach the cover.
I ended up having to remove the whole motor to do this. That process was pulling off the tire, and the wheelhouse liner panel. I have the GM shop manual. It didn't help too much for the antenna info. I ended up doing a lot of touch and feel.
That's what I had to do to fix mine last year. It took about an hour to do the whole process. Take your tiime, and good luck.
I ended up having to remove the whole motor to do this. That process was pulling off the tire, and the wheelhouse liner panel. I have the GM shop manual. It didn't help too much for the antenna info. I ended up doing a lot of touch and feel.
That's what I had to do to fix mine last year. It took about an hour to do the whole process. Take your tiime, and good luck.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
GREAT info
Thanks to donhall, ceberus and motorhead matt for the help. I reallly hope I don't have to get into the antenna because I did once back about 8 years ago and it is a pain in the @$$.
Charlie
Charlie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles, MO Route 66 Corvette Club
I agree with Motorhead. If the antenna does not go all the way down, this is usually caused by a broken ribbon located within the motor unit. I suggest you buy a GM replacement mast due to the quality and time to do this project.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Look in the C4 TechTips section. There's an article there about how to open up the motor and remove broken sections of mast that often get lodged in the gears..
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
Originally Posted by onedef92
Look in the C4 TechTips section. There's an article there about how to open up the motor and remove broken sections of mast that often get lodged in the gears..
d'oh. Thanks for the reminder. 
Charlie
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