Antenna sticking? What to do to fix it when it won’t extend.

matthew1 »

One of the sections of the antenna mast on my 850 is now sticking. The frequency of necessary-to-keep-it-working synthetic lube spray increased from every few months to every few weeks, then finally doesn’t help at all now.

I think it just needs to be removed and cleaned well. 

Spraying with a lubricant is actually a owners manual maintenance item.

BEJinFbk »

+1 on the mast.
If it’s still nice and straight, it may just need a little encouragement.
When it powers up, give it a boost to fully deploy it and be sure it’s not messed up.
If it appears undamaged, hit it with something like TriFlow or a similar lube.

You can use a paper towel that’s been folded over a few times to contain 
the overspray and then apply the lube soaked towel to the rest of the antenna.
Once you’ve done that, just run it up and down a few times to see if it’s salvagable.

If it still doesn’t behave, just go ahead get a new one. 
It’s most often the point of failure and very straight forward to replace.
There’s usually no need to start tearing into the power unit.

Sperry »

I clean the mast from time to time, but the chrome is worn off one side. It is only a matter of time before a vital section of the plastic gearing [the spline?] breaks.

I replaced the mast in another car. It took about 45 minutes, and was a bit painful to get to, but $20 later, it worked fine.

dwmeganbob »

SnookWhaler is exactly right, mine had about and 8″ piece of mast broken off and stuck in the mast housing. No amount of shaking was going to dislodge a section that big(can’t image ever shaking a piece out given the housing configuration).

Simple to fix: after removing assembly from car, just remove the two mount plate bolts on the bottom of the housing, then remove the center nut on the circular housing cover. Remove broken piece and reassemble.

Read More…

Bonus! More on the Volvo 850

Volvo unveiled an entirely new model series in June 1991, the Volvo 850 GLT. The Volvo 850 GLT was launched under the banner of “A dynamic car with four world-beating breakthroughs”.

The four new features were: transverse 5-cylinder engine driving the front wheels, Delta-link rear axle which combined the dynamics and ride comfort of independent suspension with the security of a live rear axle, the SIPS integrated side-impact protection system, and the self-adjusting front seat belt mechanism.

The exterior design of the 850 bore a strong Volvo identity, and its 740 and 940 heritage was immediately apparent.

Volvo 850 GLT received a tumultuous welcome; seldom has a new car reaped so many awards as the 850.

Over the intervening years, the 850 series has been expanded with additional variants, among them turbocharged petrol versions and a direct-injection turbo-diesel.

The Volvo 850 was also the first car in the world to offer side-impact airbags, which were introduced in autumn 1994.

In model year 1997, the S70 replaced the 850 Sedan car.

---

Subscribe to the MVS Newsletter

The MVS Volvo Newsletter is a once-a-month email delivered to your email. It’s simple to unsubscribe at any time if you change your mind.

Last Updated on April 2, 2026