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Automatic Antenna Mast Install

New 02/06/2005


When you forget to turn the radio off before entering a car wash, or when jerky bikers decide to piss you off (happened to me once), or (in my most recent case) are traveling at a high rate of speed—cough 120 (pictured below), you may bend your antenna, rendering it useless.

These instructions are meant to show how to replace your broken/bent antenna mast, not the whole antenna motor assembly.

Tools needed:
-These Instructions
-Antenna Mast
-Medium Crescent Wrench
-A Buddy


1) Turn the Radio OFF
a. Use your buddy to tell him/her to turn off the radio

2) Unscrew the retaining nut around the base of the antenna
a. There is no need to remove the black molding around the antenna
3) Turn the radio ON
a. Use your buddy to tell him/her to turn on the radio

4) Assist in the extraction of the cable—slightly pull
a. After the old cable is removed, inspect it by comparing the length to the new one.
b. If the cable is shorter than the new one, there is a broken piece inside the antenna motor assembly— if so, you must now remove the entire assembly and take it apart to get the broken piece.
c. More often than not, the cable will be intact.

5) Guide the new cable into the hole
a. The teeth should be facing the REAR of the car (look carefully in the picture)
b. There is a beveled/tapered edge on the tip of the cable—make sure that you position the tip to the front of the tube ( toward the front of the car)
6) Turn the radio OFF
a. Use your buddy to tell him/her to turn off the radio
b. Guide the new cable into the tube—be ready to quickly place the antenna in the tube—if it does not align properly, you may get the antenna caught and the teeth may strip making your efforts futile
c. If when you turn the radio off, the antenna does not go down all the way (pictured below), this is okay. Just turn the radio on, wait for the antenna to fully extend, and then turn the radio off. The problem will correct itself.
 


7) Replace the retaining nut on the antenna base
 

Instructions created by Martin P. Morawski (96 ES)
For informational purposes only; proceed at your own risk
Any errors or omissions are not the responsibility of Morawski, or www.V8SHO.com


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