Antenna Repair

[Michael Muller <mullerm@engin.umich.edu>]

In light of the recent thread on antennas (antennae?), I
have just repaired the power antenna on my 86 5ks. The unit
failed because the plastic cable broke; the motor was still
in working order. Cost: about $30. Time: about 3 hours. The
original antenna had been previously replaced, with a
Hirschman unit. ("Hit-Auta 5091")

I purchased a replacement mast from Atenna World
(recommended by this list, thanks!), for 22 plus S/H. This
compares with something like $150 that the dealer wanted for
a whole new assembly. (+/- $25, I forget the exact number)

http://www.antennaworld.com/

Repair procedure is fairly straighforward. Antenna World
told me to loosen the top screw, pull out the old antenna,
put in the new antenna, run it up and down a few times to
ensure full up/down operation, and finto. Time: probably 30
minutes.

However, not that I don't like to follow instructions, but I
took everything apart, cleaned out the winding mechanism,
and added new grease. (The new antenna came unlubricated)
The trick here is removing the plastic cover lining the side
of the trunk. The taillight lens cover needs to come off,
and then the cover is gently pulled/tugged/sworn at, until
it comes free. Remove the antenna before undoing the
electrical connections, as the radio connection cannot be
undone with the antenna in place (remember this for
installation! I didn't :) ). Keep track of the various
fittings/washers above and below the body. There are three
below the body sheetmetal, and two above, plus a nut to
secure the ass'y. There is a water drain line wich needs to
be undone as well. Then, the winding mechanism comes apart
with a few screws and a nut. 

Inside the winding mechanism, I found a few pieces of the
old cable. These probably would not have caused a problem,
given the extra room inside the housing. But why have crap
floating around in the system? In my opinion, if, as in my
case, the old antenna fails due to a broken cable, it is
worth taking the assembly apart to get completely rid of the
old cable, to ensure the water drain is clear, and to add
grease for the new cable.

Reinstalling is the reverse of the above. When tightening
the nut outside the body sheetmetal, I found that I could
tighten it on with moderate resistance, and then, at one
point, the resistance would distinctly increase, but I could
still turn the nut further. This is the magic point! If the
nut is turned past this point of increased resistance, the
antenna mast itself is being grabbed, and will not go up.

HTH,
-mike, 86 5ks