1996 850 Power Radio Antenna

wackenhut · Post by **wackenhut** » 13 Apr 2016, 09:38

So the power radio antenna is not going down all the way. I ordered a new antenna mast and saw some do it yourself videos on replacing the antenna. Is there a way to remove and install the antenna mast with out removing the entire motor housing?

Please let me know.

Thank you.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 13 Apr 2016, 09:51

No. It's simple though so you shouldn't be too concerned. Is there a reason you want to avoid taking the motor out?

wackenhut · Post by **wackenhut** » 13 Apr 2016, 10:08

Not really, but the casing and all that need to be removed to remove the pull wire from the pulley?

Post by **rspi** » 13 Apr 2016, 13:00

Sure, you can remove the current one, leaving some of the old mass cord in there. Then install the new one and have it hung up about 3/4 the way down.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 13 Apr 2016, 14:13

If isn't going down all the way, the mast is probably bent or in need of lubrication.
The first thing that I would do is lube it up. Using a folded rag or paper towel, douse
the mast liberally with TriFlow. Run it up and down a few times and see if it gets
any better. You may get considerably more life out of the existing mast.

As far as broken parts inside? If the mast goes all the way up, then the geared nylon
strip inside is intact and you can swap in a new mast pretty painlessly. There should
be instructions with the new mast. If not, just loosen the nut at the top, have someone
raise the mast while you're there to pull it the rest of the way out.

Pay Close Attention to which way the teeth on the nylon tail are facing when you pull it out!

Insert the new one with the same tooth orientation and ask your assistant to turn the radio
off to "lower" the antenna. Feed the tail and the mast until it grabs and let it pull the new
mast in. It will stop automatically when it needs to. Tighten the nut. Rock Out.

wackenhut · Post by **wackenhut** » 13 Apr 2016, 21:30

Thank you so much!! I swapped out the antenna and you are absolutely right in terms of inserting the new mast painlessly. Everything was intact, just that it kept getting stuck for the last 1/4. Appreciate your help. No need to remove the motor or anything!

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 14 Apr 2016, 00:15

Happy to help - What's driving with no tunes?
Glad to hear it went smoothly.