How To Fix A Cut Car Antenna

How to Fix a Car Power Antenna

Updated: Jun. 10, 2019

Complete this simple fix in most 2 hours.

FH11DJA_FIXANT_02-2 Family unit Handyman

Fix a stuck power antenna by replacing a burned out motor or bad cable/mast. Yous tin do both in about 2 hours, and y'all'll avert the $fifty - $100 dealer service fee. You demand only 1 special tool, an antenna wrench.

Fix a stuck power antenna

Photograph one: Unbolt the power antenna and pull it free

Tilt the lesser of the antenna abroad from the fender and pull the unit of measurement downwardly and out. That will loosen the prophylactic gasket and break the unit free.

Photo 1A: Close-upwardly of antenna wrench

Employ the special wrench to remove the bezel that holds the antenna in place.

power antenna cable

Photo 2: Out with the old

Cut the old nylon cable with side cutters. Remove the entire cablevision, gears and spool and clean all the parts with degreaser.

Photo 3: Reinstall the mast and regrease

Install the mast and nylon cablevision in the housing and mesh the cable teeth to the bulldoze gear. Install the embrace and tighten the screws.

If your ability radio antenna won't go upwardly and down anymore, the trouble is either a burned-out motor or the geared cable within the mast. Both are easy DIY fixes. You can do the entire repair in about ii hours. The parts run nearly $25 for a new cable/mast, plus the price of the special wrench. Or, option upwardly a complete junkyard unit for nigh $75 (that's half the toll of a new antenna).

Starting time, brand sure the motor works. Have a friend plow on the radio and mind for motor racket coming from the antenna surface area. If it makes racket, it's a candidate for repair. If not, you'll have to supervene upon it using the steps we show. Next, guild a replacement mast kit from antennamastsrus.com. The kit includes a new geared nylon cable connected to new antenna sections. You lot'll besides need a special wrench to remove the bezel nut (Photograph 1A). DON'T use pliers; you'll scratch the bezel and the paint. Cheque an auto parts store for one or order the Steck No. STC21600 (nearly $18) from amazon.com.

Unscrew the bezel (Photo ane) and remove the antenna retaining bolts. If your ability antenna is mounted inside the front fender, remove the cycle-well liner by pulling out the plastic rivets and push-in retainers.

Next disconnect the power and coaxial cable connectors and remove the entire unit from the vehicle (Photograph 2). If your antenna doesn't accept a removable coaxial connector, disconnect the power connectors and perform the mast replacement while the unit is withal continued to the coaxial cablevision.

Remove the embrace screws from the antenna. And so lift the cover and notation the location of the gears, cable spool, washers and idler roller before you lot remove them. Adjacent, remove old mast (Photograph 1). Thread the nylon cable and mast into the spool and reinsert the gears and rollers (Photograph 3). Spray all the moving parts with lithium grease. Reinstall the cover, then plug in the power antenna and reinstall information technology in the fender or torso.

Required Tools for this Projection

Have the necessary tools for this DIY projection lined up before you start—you'll save time and frustration.

You'll as well need a special antenna wrench.

Required Materials for this Projection

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready alee of time. Here's a list.

Originally Published: June 27, 2018