broken antenna help (1 Viewer)

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76FJ40

Old Fart
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All you'll need to replace is the toothed nylon strip that's inside the mast. Undo the special nut at the base of the mast, remove the mast, turn on the radio to extend the nylon strip (if you're lucky, it will all come out), insert the new strip and reassemble, cycle a couple of times.
 
It's not hard as has been said--actually pretty easy. But you have to do more than just pull out the old mast and put in the new one. Unless you're incredibly lucky and the nylon strip has simply lost some teeth (don't count on this), the nylon strip has probably broken and part of it is stuck down in the motor. You have to pull the motor out of the fender (article is available in the tech section I think--or do a search), remove the lid to the reel, pull out the old bit, reassemble the motor and replace it where you found it. Then you can use the antenna motor itself to pull the new strip/mast in. Should only take about an hour and a :beer:.
Tom
 
Tom's explanation is accurate for 97 models. On 96-back the mast screws on to the end of the nylon feeder with a teensy nut. If the feeder in the earlier antenna is broken, there is no replacment, the antenna assembly needs to be replaced. Some of the middle to late 1980's antennas had a repair feeder and drum available. I do not know if that item could be adapted into the Cruiser antenna.


D-
 
I only see posts with R&R...so here's a different sight of the issue....

Is your antenna mast in bad shape (.i.e bent) ? If it's just starting to get stucked, and the mast is still straight (& mechanically working) - you could have someone pressing that antenna extending button while you help by pulling it up to max. possition. Wipe clean (might need to micro sanding it if there's rust) & spray some graphite lubricant on it. It worked pretty well for me on some of the cars I've owned.

Frank.
 
thanks for the responses!
 
Frank: if the antenna is bent, it's been my experience on a number of different cars, that you never get (porn filter on) a good extension/retraction. If it's just grimy, then (porn filter still on) a bit 'o scotch-brite and WD-40 works wonders, but you really have to clean the whole thing out, and that requires full removal of the mast (porn filter off).

Dan: I imagine the replacements for the '96 feeders/motors are $$$. Has anyone ever put a '97 motor/mast on a '96 or earlier that you know of? Would it be worthwhile if possible, both from a tech perspective and $$$?

Tom
 
Scamper,

Aren't we talking about the same thing :doh: :slap: ?
 
Uh, what if we can't do either.... I tried vaseline, WD-40, graphite, and whatever my dad tried to use. My antenna is starting to form surface rust and getting bent and whacked whenevers. Toyota said I need to replace everything(rod, motor). Motor still tries to work, antenna is stuck. I haven't taken it off, cause it's humbug, so here's some questions.....
could I just replace the rod?? Could a 96 LX one work??
 
sjcruiser: I reread your earlier post and think I misinterpreted what you said...so I think we're on the same page. Thought you were trying to say that if it was bent, just lube it up :doh:

Tom
 
Funny this post came up yesterday...as my antenna started the same thing today...POS...sheesh. Yo Gumby....who makes the Flexy one, I think I'd rather go that route anyhow...Radio shack? Then do you just remove the top portion from the bolt at the base of the antenna and wire in the Flexy? I guess once I bought the Flexy antenna it'd be barely a banana. Any drawbacks to the flexy antenna over the OEM??

I like the stiffy but not if I can't get it up...whoah
 
more antenna info
:D
 
Hey Doug, are you just finding all antenna threads and posting to them? ;p

So what help/info do you need. I replaced my mast about 4 months after I had my truck. For me it was right up there with the PHH. That freaking motor just doesn't want to go back into it's hole.
 
I need to replace them on both 80s and I know of at least one other forum member who needs to replace theirs. I thought I'd do a little research and bring a few back up to the top for easier access later.
 
NorCalDoug said:
I need to replace them on both 80s and I know of at least one other forum member who needs to replace theirs. I thought I'd do a little research and bring a few back up to the top for easier access later.

I fear for your large hands.
 
antenna fixing party at Darwood's place!!!

:D
 
NorCalDoug said:
antenna fixing party at Darwood's place!!!

:D

Works for me, just remember to bring beer oh and a chair or two. My place is tiny. ;)

Hopefully I'll get all my steering column stuff today or tomorrow so I can rebuilt the column this weekend as well as readjust the steering box while I'm in there. My steering has become loose again. I think I need to break down and just get a remanufactured steering gear box.
 

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