Power Antenna Mast on a sedan

[ericem]

Am I reading threads correctly. To remove the metal rod part that is messed up (accidentally bent mine) I need to take off that chrome ring (does it just unscrew with pliers?) and basically I turn on the radio and pull that part right out? Can I get a universal replacement if I can find one locally? Or do I need to find the OEM one?

SOA447D466 is this the correct part number? I saw a few threads, but the pics of how to replace the mast are all broken links. Sorry for the noobness, I thought I had to replace the whole unit, just because that stupid metal rod bent a bit.

[Aerotech]

You can't (as far as I know) remove the mast from the unit.
I replaced mine with a Radio Shack universal replacement, works great.

Unscrew the outer ring, un-do the lower mount and pull out the whole unit from inside the trunk.

[ericem]

Hopefully your wrong, no offence lol, I don't feel like pulling the whole unit Thanks for the reply though going to get ahold of the mast today!

[dscoobydoo]

NO NO NO NO NO NO

You can just replace the mast.

I put up a link on how to do it, but I guess the link no longer works.

Yes, remove the chrome trim ring on the outside.
turn on the radio. ( it will extend the antenna.)
Slowly pull the rest out.

You can use ANY mast that is the same size and length. ( But of course finding the stock one at the dealer is the best.)

[ericem]

Mine doesn't budge. I unscrewed the ring, then I tried pulling largest lower part of the antenna. Doesn't not seem to slide out at all. Antenna was as high as I could get it.

[dscoobydoo]

It will not slide out.
You actually have to PULL it out, as you are working AGAINST the motor.

Give it a bit of force, as it should come out, but you will have it sound like it is grinding.

[Aerotech]

Cool, I was wrong...

How does the new one go back into the drive? Just feed it in while it tries to retract?

[Bdub]

A total bitch to take the original mast out. Putting the new one in is cake.
2 people here really help though! Turn the stereo off. Have your helper turn the stereo on, and then turn it off. With the motor out of the car, but the harness plugged in, slowly feed the teeth in as they turn the stereo to off. The motor begins to retract. It'll pull the teeth right in. It may take a couple times to get it all in, but I did it with 2 shots.

[ericem]

Forgot to ask, how can I change how far the antenna goes to close completely or open? Is it timed or is there something like a switch ?

[dscoobydoo]

It has a set time that the motor runs. You can't make it any further or shorter

[ericem]

You know what I am really sick of hearing my antenna fart near the bottom lol. I never got the stupid thing out. Why won't it rip out!!



On the way up I am yanking the bottom half but it won't come out!

[BSOD2600]

Along the same idea of this thread... my SS antenna metal part freely comes out, along with a good foot of the plastic/metal part below it.

Can one just take the automatic antenna from the wagon and put it in the SS? Looking at the part diagram, they appear the same, just different orientation.

[magicmike]

You know what I am really sick of hearing my antenna fart near the bottom lol. I never got the stupid thing out. Why won't it rip out!!



On the way up I am yanking the bottom half but it won't come out!

I used to do this all the time when I was installing. The bottom most sleeve usually rusts to the colar. hit it with some wd40, turn the radio on, lock some channel locks on the mast crushing it flat and proceed to pound upward with a hammer on channel locks. It will come right out.

edit: of course you need the colar off first.