Help: '88 FJ62 Antenna Mast Dissection

[tuffspot]

Howdy! Our '88 FJ62 antenna was not retracting all the way, so we ordered a replacement antenna. We got the motor assembly out (somewhat; there are two cables that thread through a boot towards the dash that seem fatal if messed with, probably the radio plug and something else...see final pic), and were able to remove the previous antenna + cable. The problem started when we tried to insert the replacement antenna. It was jamming, and impossible to manually thread. I thought maybe there was a blockage in the metal casing, so I blindly started to remove things and accidentally opened the piece that looks like a battery (see photos). There is a broken spring in there, which may've been an issue? So I guess my question is, can I reassemble this without having to buy a replacement assembly, and if I have to buy a replacement assembly, how do I manage the wires running into the body of the car?

 

[Lead Head]

You pulled the motor apart. Those springs push on the carbon brushes (the little black blocks) into the motor rotor. The mangled spring will definitely need to be replaced with a spring of similar length and tension. You'll probably have to start ripping apart a bunch of retractable pens to find something suitable.

You will need to put the brushes back into the holders, with the springs behind them. Yank the rotor out of the black metal case, and then insert it into the antenna housing. You will have to hold the brushes back as you slide the rotor into the antenna housing. Once it's reinserted into the antenna housing, you will then slide the black metal case back over the rotor housing.

 

[TreadingLight]

Yo replace the antenna mast you have to insert the long white plastic rod into the spool where it is held in place by friction.

Remove the small screw in the center of the round cover to free it.

Then you'll see how the old antenna mast was held in place.

There are threads, either here or in the 80 section, with pics.

 

[majdomo]

You pulled the motor apart. Those springs push on the carbon brushes (the little black blocks) into the motor rotor. The mangled spring will definitely need to be replaced with a spring of similar length and tension. You'll probably have to start ripping apart a bunch of retractable pens to find something suitable.

You will need to put the brushes back into the holders, with the springs behind them. Yank the rotor out of the black metal case, and then insert it into the antenna housing. You will have to hold the brushes back as you slide the rotor into the antenna housing. Once it's reinserted into the antenna housing, you will then slide the black metal case back over the rotor housing.

This. And it is something of a challenge to get the whole shooting match back together with the springs in place.

 

[tuffspot]

You pulled the motor apart. Those springs push on the carbon brushes (the little black blocks) into the motor rotor. The mangled spring will definitely need to be replaced with a spring of similar length and tension. You'll probably have to start ripping apart a bunch of retractable pens to find something suitable.

You will need to put the brushes back into the holders, with the springs behind them. Yank the rotor out of the black metal case, and then insert it into the antenna housing. You will have to hold the brushes back as you slide the rotor into the antenna housing. Once it's reinserted into the antenna housing, you will then slide the black metal case back over the rotor housing.

Ha! Thank you for the insight... I was worried I messed with the motor. I think I understand your order of operations...
1) Open the motor and set the rotor aside
2) Insert new springs behind carbon brushes
3) Somehow maintain the positions of the springs and carbon brushes and reinsert rotor (the black case)
4) Reattach to the antenna assembly

This sound right? I'm a little confused about the difference between the "rotor housing" and the "black metal case" , as I feel like they are one unit.
Thanks!

 

[Lead Head]

Ha! Thank you for the insight... I was worried I messed with the motor. I think I understand your order of operations...
1) Open the motor and set the rotor aside
2) Insert new springs behind carbon brushes
3) Somehow maintain the positions of the springs and carbon brushes and reinsert rotor (the black case)
4) Reattach to the antenna assembly

This sound right? I'm a little confused about the difference between the "rotor housing" and the "black metal case" , as I feel like they are one unit.
Thanks!

The rotor is the piece with the copper windings and the screw. The main body of the antenna thing is the motor housing. The black case holds the magnet and the rear bearing. There really isn't a "motor" per-se. The main body of the thing holds the majority of the motor's components (brushes, front bearing, rotor).