Power Antenna Mast Replacement
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
Power Antenna Mast Replacement
Yea,
This is a stupid question but my hands are big and I don't feel like fighting with this thing under the fender well if I can help it. Whats the trick (easiest way) to replace the power antenna mast? I would like to shed as little blood as possible.
DG
This is a stupid question but my hands are big and I don't feel like fighting with this thing under the fender well if I can help it. Whats the trick (easiest way) to replace the power antenna mast? I would like to shed as little blood as possible.
DG
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
masts are easy... it's all done from the top.
when you get the kit from GM, it has a special socket. It will remove the crown bolt that holds the mast in.
you will want help... someone to turn the radio on and off at the right moments. turn on the radio, yank out the mast... insert the new mast, turn off the radio... and hope to GOD there isn't any broken mast down in the motor... if so, you're boned.
when you get the kit from GM, it has a special socket. It will remove the crown bolt that holds the mast in.
you will want help... someone to turn the radio on and off at the right moments. turn on the radio, yank out the mast... insert the new mast, turn off the radio... and hope to GOD there isn't any broken mast down in the motor... if so, you're boned.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
Hey bogus,
thanks for the quick response,... I will have to check the package for the tool. It didn't come with any directions so I was under the impression I had to pull the motor out. That should save me some work. I will give it a try tomorrow.
DG
thanks for the quick response,... I will have to check the package for the tool. It didn't come with any directions so I was under the impression I had to pull the motor out. That should save me some work. I will give it a try tomorrow.
DG
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,844
Likes: 30
.....there was a post on this w/in the last week...do a search and you should find it....very easy to do....
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 0
From: Somewherein Pa
masts are easy... it's all done from the top.
when you get the kit from GM, it has a special socket. It will remove the crown bolt that holds the mast in.
you will want help... someone to turn the radio on and off at the right moments. turn on the radio, yank out the mast... insert the new mast, turn off the radio... and hope to GOD there isn't any broken mast down in the motor... if so, you're boned.
when you get the kit from GM, it has a special socket. It will remove the crown bolt that holds the mast in.
you will want help... someone to turn the radio on and off at the right moments. turn on the radio, yank out the mast... insert the new mast, turn off the radio... and hope to GOD there isn't any broken mast down in the motor... if so, you're boned.
Took about 10 minutes tops, works great now....put a little lubricant on the new mast right away......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
Hope I'm wrong but...I didn't think you could replace the antena from the top on 87 or earlier??? I thought they changed it in 88 or 89 so you could.....I replaced mine (87) a few years ago and it was a bugger.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,305
Likes: 241
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Anyone know when they changed to the geared ribbon ??
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,844
Likes: 30
.......in 88 you could feed the ribbon from the top but it sometimes it does not take and the motor has to be removed and disassembled and the ribbon fed around the "spool" by hand...........i thought that the ribbon can be fed from the top since 86.......
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: Conway AR
Well, I guess I'm pretty dumb. I've asked this question before and have looked at the manual and read the directions that come with the replacement antenna and ribbon. Still can't figure out how to get the little spring deal that's around the mast out of the body.
Do you just PULL it out and hope nothing breaks? I can see how everything goes back in ok. But, how do you get the mast out?
Thanks.
bill
Do you just PULL it out and hope nothing breaks? I can see how everything goes back in ok. But, how do you get the mast out?
Thanks.
bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 826
Likes: 22
From: Chicago Area
Just bought a 95 myself and did a search on this topic.
If my antenna does not go all the way down do I need the kit only? Dealer the best place to buy?
When I turn the radio on or off...it goes up but the 2nd lowest section never extends all the way and I hear 3 clicks after the antenna stops going up. Same when I turn the radio off. It goes down to certain point and clicks 3 times and the last section and half the 2nd lower section is still sticking up.
Is the tool in the kit the only way to get it out?
Thanks for the info guys!
If my antenna does not go all the way down do I need the kit only? Dealer the best place to buy?
When I turn the radio on or off...it goes up but the 2nd lowest section never extends all the way and I hear 3 clicks after the antenna stops going up. Same when I turn the radio off. It goes down to certain point and clicks 3 times and the last section and half the 2nd lower section is still sticking up.
Is the tool in the kit the only way to get it out?
Thanks for the info guys!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Just bought a 95 myself and did a search on this topic.
If my antenna does not go all the way down do I need the kit only? Dealer the best place to buy?
When I turn the radio on or off...it goes up but the 2nd lowest section never extends all the way and I hear 3 clicks after the antenna stops going up. Same when I turn the radio off. It goes down to certain point and clicks 3 times and the last section and half the 2nd lower section is still sticking up.
Is the tool in the kit the only way to get it out?
Thanks for the info guys!
If my antenna does not go all the way down do I need the kit only? Dealer the best place to buy?
When I turn the radio on or off...it goes up but the 2nd lowest section never extends all the way and I hear 3 clicks after the antenna stops going up. Same when I turn the radio off. It goes down to certain point and clicks 3 times and the last section and half the 2nd lower section is still sticking up.
Is the tool in the kit the only way to get it out?
Thanks for the info guys!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 826
Likes: 22
From: Chicago Area
chances are that the "teeth" in the "ribbon" are stripped out or very badly worn. i have attempted to use the "tool" that is included but, wound up opening the case of the antenna after dropping it below the fender, and cleaning out around the gear and re-greasing it and installing the ribbon.
I'm sure once I do I may get what your talking about. I take it this antenna is driven by some sort of toothed ribbon? Does this "kit" come with this ribbon?
Anyone else have any pointers?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Not sure I completely understand what your saying since I have owned this car for like a week now and have not torn into it yet.
I'm sure once I do I may get what your talking about. I take it this antenna is driven by some sort of toothed ribbon? Does this "kit" come with this ribbon?
Anyone else have any pointers?
I'm sure once I do I may get what your talking about. I take it this antenna is driven by some sort of toothed ribbon? Does this "kit" come with this ribbon?
Anyone else have any pointers?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 826
Likes: 22
From: Chicago Area
once you get into it, you'll see. the mast has a plastic "ribbon" or line that is attached to the base. it is that line or "ribbon" that is grabbed or moved by a gear/spool on the motor designed to do so. when you buy the "mast kit", that ribbon is attached to the bottom and comes with the kit. some members have had success feeding the mast down through the top but, in an equal number of cases the motor must be removed and dropped out the bottom of the fender and opened up for this to be done. the gear or spool that the ribbon wraps around usually has a piece of the broken ribbon laying in there and has to be removed. once in there, clean out all the old lube and re-lube and reinstall and you will be good to go.
I'll have to climb under the car and see what I am up against. So the tool that comes with the kit will get the mast out from the top, but the motor drops out the bottom? how bad is dropping the motor from the bottom? Does the kit come with a new mast or just the ribbon?
Maybe i'll stop by a chevy dealer later today...
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Thanks Badabing,
I'll have to climb under the car and see what I am up against. So the tool that comes with the kit will get the mast out from the top, but the motor drops out the bottom? how bad is dropping the motor from the bottom? Does the kit come with a new mast or just the ribbon?
Maybe i'll stop by a chevy dealer later today...
I'll have to climb under the car and see what I am up against. So the tool that comes with the kit will get the mast out from the top, but the motor drops out the bottom? how bad is dropping the motor from the bottom? Does the kit come with a new mast or just the ribbon?
Maybe i'll stop by a chevy dealer later today...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 826
Likes: 22
From: Chicago Area
i tried the "tool" that was included and it didn't work well at all. i think i used a pair of needle nose pliers to remove the top bezel nut and dropped out the antenna assembly out the bottom although, it is a little tight with the wires but do-able. i used an old plastic milk crate to set it on while the wires were still connected (sorta a work bench) and went on from there. go to the big "auction site" and you will find inexpensive replacements for your antenna MUCH cheaper then you can get it anywhere else. the mast has the ribbon attached to it.
I'm all over it...
