Astra Electric Aerial Mast Replacement Problem

Discussion in 'Astra' started by Johnny P, Jan 12, 2004.

  1. Johnny P

    Johnny P Guest

    Hello,
    I would be really grateful if someone could help me. I have bought a
    replacement mast for my factory fitted electric aerial on my 1995
    Astra CDX as it only goes half way down. I have undone the collar that
    holds the mast in place but it doesn't then pull out as the haynes
    manual says it should. I have tried getting some WD40 into the bit
    around the bottom of the aerial but still no joy.
    Any suggestions? I really don't want to have to remove the whole unit
    just to change the aerial as it involves removing loads of trim and
    the rear light cluster.
    Can I rip it out with pliers or is that going to damage the mounting?
    Thanks,
    John
     
    Johnny P, Jan 12, 2004
    #1
  2. Johnny P

    Martin Guest

    Are you giving it a firm "helping hand" as soon as the radio is switched on,
    and thus it's trying to extend? I've never had any problem doing this
    (though getting the replacement in can take a few tries). I wouldn't expect
    it to come out unless you use the motor at the same time.
     
    Martin, Jan 12, 2004
    #2
  3. Johnny P

    Johnny P Guest

    That was a good question and when you asked I wasn't sure so have been
    out and given it a try. Sadly, no luck. I just have to undo the screwy
    thing (technical term..) with two flat bits on opposite sides don't I?

    Am almost resigned to taking the car apart just because the aerial
    won't go all the way up and down. It's very annoying though.

    I also have to change a bulb thats gone behind the air temperature
    dial in the centre console, that isn't going to be fun either.

    Thanks for the reply though,

    JP
     
    Johnny P, Jan 12, 2004
    #3
  4. Johnny P

    Robert Offer Guest

    Hi
    I had a similar problem on an old Cav.
    It can be done with one person, but when it's a problem try two people!
    Undo the aerial nut (the 2 flat sided "thingy") then ask your helper to pull
    hard on it as you turn the radio / ignition on to activate the electric
    aerial. If your helper pulls quite hard the antenna insert should come
    away. If you then feed in the new one as far as it will go (carefully) by
    hand and giving it adequate support and guidance, feed it into the aperture
    as you switch off the ignition / radio to retract the antenna. As it nears
    closing you should be able to start the nut tightening.
    Good luck. - I hope this helps a little.
    RobO
     
    Robert Offer, Jan 12, 2004
    #4
  5. Johnny P

    Martin Guest

    Before you take it all to bits, can I make a couple of suggestions? First,
    you'll see from the new part that the long plastic thing has notches. These
    will (eventually) engage in a cogged wheel driven by the motor. So when you
    switch on radio and your old aerial starts to extend, clearly this "notched"
    plastic thingy is gradually being unwound. What you need to try to do is
    "help" it to completely unwind - and some - before the motor times out and
    stops. So (as Robert Offer points out) it's best to have someone switch
    radio on / off as req'd. As soon as it's switched on, start pulling the
    aerial up fairly firmly - even at the risk of it tending to skid over the
    cogs. Best to pull on top (thinnest) section of aerial - otherwise bottom
    bit could come up while top bit retracts into it, and then the plastic
    notchy thing doesn't come out fully. But don't snap the thing off
    completely. (please excuse all the hi-tec jargon - this is proving hard to
    write! Maybe Haynes is quite clever after all... :)

    Second suggestion - if you still can't extract it, chat up your local
    dealer. It's a 60 second job - and they just might do it for a pint (or the
    Euro equivalent.)

    HTH.

    .... and PS - if you succeed, take great care fitting the new one - very
    bendable, not very unbendable.
     
    Martin, Jan 12, 2004
    #5
  6. Johnny P

    Me2 Guest

    They can get really tight. Get a good grip with some vice grips and hit it
    up with a hammer - mind your bodywork.
    Turn your radio on and wait for the motor to stop running before you fit the
    new one, keep pushing the white plastic cable into the motor while someone
    turns the radio off. When it grabs it just feed it in, may take a few
    attempts.

    To replace your info display bulb just lift out the rubber mat below it and
    undo the screws. It will now pull forward and out. Two second job,replace
    both bulbs in it.
     
    Me2, Jan 14, 2004
    #6
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