Looking for the secret to removing the antenna mast

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Otis1971

Otis1971

10 Year
Joined
Jul 23, 2014
Threads
6
Messages
30
Location
Murfreesboro, TN
Guys the last thing on my land cruiser to do list today was replace the antenna mast. I've looked at the you tube videos and read through the forum but I can't determine the secret to getting the white plastic "line" out of the antenna motor. I've had my son push the Ariel up button while I gently pull but it does not want to come out. Any suggestions? Thanks!
 
I'd say take out the whole antenna assembly. Remove the right front wheel and take out the fender liner (held in by ~3 screws and ~15tabs). Unbolt it from the bracket and you can work on it a lot easier. Just make sure you have extra tabs cause you're going to break a few.


Official Jeep Recovery Vehicle
 
TheForger said:
I'd say take out the whole antenna assembly. Remove the right front wheel and take out the fender liner (held in by ~3 screws and ~15tabs). Unbolt it from the bracket and you can work on it a lot easier. Just make sure you have extra tabs cause you're going to break a few.


Official Jeep Recovery Vehicle
Click to expand...

This. If your goals are time and durability, then my suggestion is to yank the antenna assembly and replace it with a fixed mast. It's the best option...
 
I agree with theforger, take the whole assembly out from the inner fender.
The new mast is very cheap at the dealership like 35 bucks. It's very easy to put back together, it helps to have a send set of hands to push the antenna up button while you feed the white plastic mast.
Total time about 2 hour job.
 
As long as you have removed the retaining ring, it should come out with a hard tug when fully extended out. Then you can have the motor suck the new one in. 10 minute job if that. I had to tug a little harder than I wanted to, but this method did work for me.
 
Travis. I'm glad to hear it worked. By the retaining ring - do you mean the chrome nut that once removed allows the mast to come out? If so, I've tried that but have been concerned about pulling to hard and breaking something. If there's another retain ring can you tell me where to look for it? Thanks.
 
Yes, it's the chrome nut at the base of the antenna. Remove that and pull.

There is a chance however, that the plastic extension with the teeth on it may break or is already broken (yea, don't ask me how I know).

In that case, you'll need to go in through the wheel well and remove the unit.

Like others have stated, it's a :banana: job and around 2 hours or less.
 
there's an easy solution to this problem (that doesn't involve yanking hard on it or removing the whole unit)

once the mast thinks its all the way up it stops extending before it's released
prevent the mast from being able to retract and turn off the ignition switch, the mast will try to retract and stop (leaving it fully extended)
turn the key back on and the mast should extend further allowing it to come out smoothly
 
I just take the ring off and have someone go up on the switch while I'm pulling. Comes out very easy. Unless of course the plastic year is already broken off... Then you have to remove the motor anyway.
 
Jess UK said:
there's an easy solution to this problem (that doesn't involve yanking hard on it or removing the whole unit)

once the mast thinks its all the way up it stops extending before it's released
prevent the mast from being able to retract and turn off the ignition switch, the mast will try to retract and stop (leaving it fully extended)
turn the key back on and the mast should extend further allowing it to come out smoothly
Click to expand...
I need this solution in reverse. Mine stays slightly errr, umm, erect?
 
TexasCharley: Is your antenna making noises/showing signs of sticking when it is going down? What could be happening is your antenna is sticking to the point that the motor is going into "overload" and assuming that the antenna is already down when it is not.
 
Sligex said:
TexasCharley: Is your antenna making noises/showing signs of sticking when it is going down? What could be happening is your antenna is sticking to the point that the motor is going into "overload" and assuming that the antenna is already down when it is not.
Click to expand...

Yep, mine is doing the same. I tried pushing down on it when it was retracting but no luck. Any advice? Thank you.
 
Travis351 said:
As long as you have removed the retaining ring, it should come out with a hard tug when fully extended out. Then you can have the motor suck the new one in. 10 minute job if that. I had to tug a little harder than I wanted to, but this method did work for me.
Click to expand...

My antenna mast is stuck. Is it possible to break something in the motor by using too much force to get it to release??
 
I'm going to bump this up for one more shot at an answer before I really lean on pulling the plastic antenna feeder and break something......:D
 
I'm getting the vise grips ready......
 
TheForger said:
I'd say take out the whole antenna assembly. Remove the right front wheel and take out the fender liner (held in by ~3 screws and ~15tabs). Unbolt it from the bracket and you can work on it a lot easier. Just make sure you have extra tabs cause you're going to break a few.


Official Jeep Recovery Vehicle
Click to expand...
Do you have pics of the bolts and clips in question?
 
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