Antennae Mast Replacement Issue

[EntropyFletch]

A year ago or so I forgot to lower the antennae mast when going through the car wash, result bent and broken mast. I ordered the replacement part and finally replaced it this weekend. I followed a very simple YouTube video...but messed up one crucial step.

I trimmed the plastic teeth that erect and retract the mast perfectly, using the up/down control on the console. The problem was that I lowered the mast all the way, THEN turned the truck off...well, the motor pulled the entire plastic tether into it and the mast was left useless. Now when i use the up/down mast toggle, I can hear the plastic grinding in there and I cant get the motor to eject it.

Question for you all, am I screwed now? I ordered another mast assembly but can I install it with the other plastic tether already in the motor? Do I now need to take apart the motor?

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Pull the motor apart to get the old bits out. Several write ups here on how to access it. Shouldn't be any need to trim the teeth before install.