I am having a problem with my power antenna. The antenna does not fully extend with the radio on. It extends about three quarters of the way. I can manually pull it up the other quarter by hand with the radio on. When the radio is turned off it retracts fully. I have lubricated the mast with no change. The mast is not bent.Do I need to replace the mast or the entire power antenna. Please advise.

 

The antenna has a limited life. Normally it stops just short of retracting fully but yours has the same issue. Its easy to replace:



How To Replace a Defective Telescopic Antenna

Now this is a simple mod and the OEM assembly with motor is $130+. You'll know you have the problem because the antenna won't fully retract



Parts:
Adjustable wrench
GM OEM Power Antenna Replacement ($13 E Bay).




Make sure the antenna is fully retracted and that the radio is off

Remove the antenna mounting nut located on the base of the mast on the outside of the car. If the mast is bent it may be necessary to cut off the old mast). If you can't all of the plastic cable out as one piece, (sometimes the plastic gets really hard and breaks into pieces then falls down into the motor), you can just pull the motor after you have pulled the mast out and get all of the pieces out. To do that you'll need to take out the outer right turn signal housing.




Turn on the radio and pull out the old mast and serrated cable completely out of the antenna motor. (Note which way the serrations on the cable are facing)

Feed the serrated cable of the new mast into the antenna hole and stop when resistance is felt. (about 12”). Make sure the cable is fed in with the teeth the same way the old cable came out.



Turn the radio off to lower the antenna until the serrated cable catches.. You may have to cycle the antenna a few times until the cable catches the gear mechanism and retracts into the antenna motor.



Replace and tighten the antenna nut into the mast base.



Turn on and make sure that the mast fully extends without binding. Clean the surface of the antenna to remove any adhesive etc.

10 minute job.



If you encounter a stuck mast here’s advice from the mast vendor:

You see the new "Retaining Sleeve" (silver, 2 inches or so, with slots) on the shaft of the new antenna mast, the original one is most likely a little corroded/frozen into the shaft of your antenna No problem : You are in need of what I refer to as the "snap and tap" technique of mast removal

Turn radio on and let cycle to as much extension as is currently possible

Take hold of the thickest metal mast section (closest to fender) with you thumb and forefinger about 2-3 inches above the top of the antenna shaft hole

Push the thickest mast section into the shaft (as much as it will go within that 2-3 inches)

Hold tightly with thumb and forefinger and Snap your Wrist upward.....you will here the mast bottom "tap" the bottom of the frozen in place retaining sleeve (what this is all about) Repeat this over and over again In-Snap-Tap-Repeat Short Firm Bursts of Energy Focusing the energy blow to the point of the tap This will free the retaining sleeve little by little till it comes out completely

 

If the new mast isn't the same length as the old one some of the plastic white cable has broken off inside the motor. If this is the case take out the right tail light to get to the motor. Remove mounting bolts and slide it thru the right tail light hole. Drill out the 3 plastic rivets and remove the broken section. Relubricate with silicone grease and reassenmble motor housing. Turn radio on to make the motor run to the extended position. Feed the new serrated plastic mast into the motor and then shut off the radio. It should retract. Cycle a few times and it should raise and lower fine. I had to go this route as i had about 8 inches or so of the old mast broken off inside the motor housing. Replace motor cover with 3 self tapping screws in the old plastic rivet holes.

People at antennamasts.com are really good. They will help you and you can download instructions from their website.

BIGHANK

 

You should not apply any lubrication to the mast. I just needs to be cleaned periodically. If yours is bad, lubing it probably wont help. I think the oil just catches dirt and then draws it inside when the mast collapses.