Antenna

[Mystic ZR-1]

Any tips and tricks on replacing the antenna mast and ribbon?
Thanks!

[Dynomite]

Any tips and tricks on replacing the antenna mast and ribbon?
Thanks!
Antenna Mast Repair TIPS (http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?p=216591")

[Z51JEFF]

No it's pretty straight forward as long as the old mast is completely out of the housing. If so with the radio on position the mast with the teeth towards to front of the car,push the mast down into the antenna housing until it won't go anymore and have somebody shut off the radio. While hold the antenna help guide it down into the body. One person can do this job but it is abit tricky.

[BigJohn]

Any tips and tricks on replacing the antenna mast and ribbon?
Thanks!


Use an internal antenna like my LM!:blahblah::-({|=

[-=Jeff=-]

Use an internal antenna like my LM!:blahblah::-({|=

I have tried 2 different ones with crappy results.. does yours actually work well?

[BigJohn]

I have tried 2 different ones with crappy results.. does yours actually work well?



Yes!

[USAFPILOT]

Do not screw up your antenna grommet. They cannot be found anywhere!!!!

If you can find me one I will give you a kidney. Well, maybe not, but I will give you something!

[-=Jeff=-]

Yes!


Any specifics on the one you are using?

[Mystic ZR-1]

pulled the whole assy out thru the bottom
(leaving wires etc attached) easy if you remove the wheel and inner fender panel.
I can't believe how much dirt and crap was in there! I thought my car was pretty clean...
removed spool cover and took out pieces
motor runs fine
guess it goes back in fender to feed in new ribbon/mast?
how do you remove the grommet from the fender w/o wrecking it?
thanks, but I don't need a kidney, not yet anyway...

[secondchance]

pulled the whole assy out thru the bottom
(leaving wires etc attached) easy if you remove the wheel and inner fender panel.
I can't believe how much dirt and crap was in there! I thought my car was pretty clean...
removed spool cover and took out pieces
motor runs fine
guess it goes back in fender to feed in new ribbon/mast?
how do you remove the grommet from the fender w/o wrecking it?
thanks, but I don't need a kidney, not yet anyway...

I would reassemble/feed the new mast wile assembly is out of the car. I wouldn't try to remove the grommet from the quarter.

[Z51JEFF]

I would reassemble/feed the new mast wile assembly is out of the car. I wouldn't try to remove the grommet from the quarter.

There's no reason to remove the grommet that I know of. Once all of the old mast is out of the housing I'd put it back in the car and then feed the new mast into the housing. That would be easier than fighting everything out of the car.

[secondchance]

Reason I prefer to feed the mast outside the car (in the hatch with connector connected) is so that I can tighten the mast nut without fighting the grommet and possibility of damaging the grommet.

[Mystic ZR-1]

What mast nut? The new mast came with a "wrench"
but it has no nut to engage on the antenna , new or old.
also, the lowest segment of the antenna is larger
than the hole in the grommet in the fender. the next segment up is the one that fits
in the grommet
2 set screws hold the mast into the operating/motor assy
the new mast is the same as the one I took out.
Years ago, I replaced the antenna mast on the 89 I had at the time
and the only problem I remember was sealing up the
rubber "bag" the whole thing was in?

[secondchance]

There is a sort of black chromed nut you remove that allows the antenna to push out including the ribbon. One method for replacing the mast is to shove long sheet metal socket through the grommet (without removing the antenna from the car), remove the nut and turn the radio on. If the ribbon comes out without leaving broken pieces in the spool, you can feed the new ribbon and the antenna from the top.
Sounds like you are replacing the antenna housing also.

[Z51JEFF]

As stated there is a nut type jobber at the top of the antenna that has 2 flats that a special socket is used to remove it. The socket usually comes with a OEM replacement mast. I took the socket and polished the edges to keep from damaging the grommet.