Antenna

[Z51JEFF]

Originally Posted by secondchance

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.