Antenna replacement - HELP
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: College Station TX
Antenna replacement - HELP
Okay, Since replacing the mast didn't work, I'm not trying to replace the whole antenna unit. I'm trying to remove the interior pieces so that I can get to the grommet that the wires run through per the instructions in the C4 tech tips section (https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=185&TopicID=2)
I cannot remove the cargo shade. I'm not entirely sure what exactly I need to pry on, but nothing I pry on seems to free anything (plus its hard as hell to reach). Can someone provide me some insight before I give up and go to the dealer for the job? I'm really tired of this antenna thing.
Thanks.
I cannot remove the cargo shade. I'm not entirely sure what exactly I need to pry on, but nothing I pry on seems to free anything (plus its hard as hell to reach). Can someone provide me some insight before I give up and go to the dealer for the job? I'm really tired of this antenna thing.
Thanks.
Last edited by Rearview; Oct 8, 2007 at 07:39 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 376
Likes: 10
From: Chicago IL
if I follow you correctly, and you are trying to get the old unit out of the car, take the tail lamp lens out right in back of the antenna - it is like 3 scews/bolts and then you can easily get to that grommet. that is what i did when my 85 broke. got the 19 dollar ribbon from ecklers and it has been fine
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: College Station TX
if I follow you correctly, and you are trying to get the old unit out of the car, take the tail lamp lens out right in back of the antenna - it is like 3 scews/bolts and then you can easily get to that grommet. that is what i did when my 85 broke. got the 19 dollar ribbon from ecklers and it has been fine
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: College Station TX
Done!
Well since I could not seem to get the cargo shade out, so I went at it with it still there. I had the rear trim piece off, but could not reach the grommet from the inside. I ended up (with much effort) pulling the grommet loose from up inside the fender from below. What worked was picking at it one side at a time with my bare fingers until it came out (I'd already disconnected the wires up inside the foam under the rear trim). Then I poked the new unit's wires back into the hole and pushed the new grommet in and hooked everything back up. It really wasn't to bad. I only had to remove one trim piece too! 
Thanks for all the advice.
Thanks for all the advice.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Rocky Mountains Colorado
I'm in the process of replacing my antenna. I have the shade out (used a little Armstrong Power), the wires disconnected and the old antenna's screws removed. The old rubber gromet has fosillized itself and bonded to the body. I shot a squirt of WD-40 onto the grommet from the insdie and walked away (before I started using unChristian language). I'll get some sleep then give it a try later in the day.
Any hints that people have learned from experience with this headache will be greatly appreciated.
Any hints that people have learned from experience with this headache will be greatly appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 28
From: Woodbridge NJ
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: College Station TX
I'm in the process of replacing my antenna. I have the shade out (used a little Armstrong Power), the wires disconnected and the old antenna's screws removed. The old rubber gromet has fosillized itself and bonded to the body. I shot a squirt of WD-40 onto the grommet from the insdie and walked away (before I started using unChristian language). I'll get some sleep then give it a try later in the day.
Any hints that people have learned from experience with this headache will be greatly appreciated.
Any hints that people have learned from experience with this headache will be greatly appreciated.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Rocky Mountains Colorado
My antenna is replaced. The gromet was fused to the body, so 2 days ago I sprayed some WD-40 on it and this morning heated the rubber gromet with a hair dryer for a few minutes. One light tug and the gromet came out.
It took less time to install the new antenna that taking the old one out.
It took less time to install the new antenna that taking the old one out.
