scottmoyer

The car doesn't get driven enough or started enough for the antenna to be sticking. I can pull it up and push it down with no effort at all, so the mast isn't sticking. The repair kits were probably junk or left over parts.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Alright, just as long as you know they're supposed to be cleaned and lubricated fairly often.

scottmoyer

Understood. The mast is clean as I cleaned it the last time I rebuilt the system. I probably only have about 800 miles or so in the past 2 years, so the antenna hasn't had much use or chance to get dirty. I did check for "lube" on it and it still has a slight film from when I last rebuilt it. Amazingly, wiping the antenna came up clean with just slight traces of dust in the oil. I'll let you know what I find when I decide to tear into it.

Now actually sounds like a good time to start.....time to get to work!!!!

scottmoyer

Well, I guess I'm done with the power antenna option. The nylon snapped about 6" from the metal clip at the end. This is the 3rd replacement in the past few years so another repair makes 4. Time to consider removing the nylon altogether and either using the antenna manually or replace with a fixed mast.

RJ_Moore

Wrong thing to do buddy. I just bought a couple of new GM power antenna for my 85 Sport and 87 IROC, they went in like slick, and look great!

Richard.

RJ_Moore

Oh ya, I got them from thirdgenranch.com, email dennyb@thirdgenranch.com
and he'll take care of you if he can.

86blackiroc

iTrader: (12)

If they are like the new GM one I bought, they appear different than the stock antenna. It would look out of place on a 100% stock, low mile car.

RJ_Moore

Wrong, both my Sport and IROC are stock, although I added aftermarket Xenon GFX to the Sport, and the antenna fit perfect and look perfect.

Richard.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Scott,

Can you provide a picture of what the stock antenna looks like. I'll compare it to the one I got from Classic Industries.

RJ_Moore

I uploaded a picture from the site.

Richard.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

That does not looks like a stock antenna. The mounting bracket and fender inserts look all wrong.

RJ_Moore

That's all I could find, and the installer installed it with no problems whatsoever, other than my 85 requires a relay added, one which is on the IROC.

Ask Denny at ThirdGenRanch, and see what he has to say.

Richard.

RJ_Moore

Here is the site link:

http://thirdgenranch.com/Categories.bok

scottmoyer

The aftermarket replacement antennas are nothing like the factory originals. I'm not worried about what the antenna looks like inside the fender as much as I need the outside to look original. I've heard the mast doesn't even resemble the factory original.

Here is a similar pic of what the original looks like. I found this online and it isn't a pic of my antenna.

86blackiroc

iTrader: (12)

You don't understand. I said they LOOK different... never said they didn't fit.

Yeah, that looks different from the stock power antenna. The tip and bezel are completely different. It's just a universal antenna that GM sells to fit several cars.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Scott,

An authentic mast is available from Classic Industries that comes with the nylon "string". It accepts the factory fender molding. I was hoping you could post a picture of the factory fender side of things just to 100% confirm that what I have is factory.

Thanks,

John

Drew

iTrader: (58)

FWIW, GM shows two different power antennas in the computer.

Power antennas seem to have fallen out of vogue. I'd mast it and call it a day. The bottom half of the mast antenna with wire was $11 a few years back. The actual mast can't be that expensive either. Probably do all of it with NOS parts for under $30 and never have to mess with it again. On a low mileage car I wouldn't want to be tearing the fender liners out every year or so when the antenna breaks.

Scott, if you want to do a mast antenna and can't get NOS parts, I'm pretty sure I've got an early large plug base, and a later small plug base (both used) in storage.

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Agreed, but on a car as original as Scott's it would be nice to have the power antenna if thats what his car came with originally.

That brings up another question. Why are they breaking so frequently for
Scott. Scott, any chance you have a bent mast? It might be worth while trying the Classic Industries replacement mast.

eseibel67

Power antenna is a signature of the 80's era, like an 8 track player in a 74 Eldorado. The problem with the antenna isn't mileage, it's age. The plastic whip gets brittle and will eventually break.

I've had several of these 3rd gen antannas apart, and the best repair is to get a GM mast assembly, and be careful to clean and lube it properly when you put it back together. The key is to only lube the friction areas of the drum, not the plastic antenna whip. That plastic whip is supposed to stay dry, and although I'm no chemist, I suspect that any type of lube will compromise the plastic whip and it will break in 4 years instead of lasting 8 years. I'm sure someone will disprove this theory because they bought a new Berlinetta in 83, sprayed WD40 down the hole once a year, and the antenna still works.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I have a 92 formula and a 92 TA vert with power antennas one works one doesnt.. need a correct fix also.

alphaenvirmgt

Does anyone have a source for the plastic string? PN 22038195 is no longer available thru my local GM dealer or www.gmpartsdirect.com.
Conrad

scottmoyer

That part number is superseded with 19151297. Good luck with this one also as they are discontinued now and not available unless someone has one in stock. Some clown on eBay has been trying to sell them for $79 when it's a $15 part. I've replaced 3 in the past 1.5 years and I'm tired of it now. Not sure what I'm going to do at this time.

RJ_Moore

Go with a hidden antenna, and fill in the hole, and have the paint touched up by a body shop......

Richard.

scottmoyer

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense on a 16k mile all original car with original paint in show condition!!!

RJ_Moore

It's just a suggestion, I expect some common sense to be applied when the availability of replacement parts as original parts no longer are available.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

yup no more in stock.. I may have a idea on a place to get them.. Ill get back to this thread soon..

scottmoyer

Anybody need a repair kit? Found this on eBay and as much I need this part, I'll let somebody else have at it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-7...item4cf86e3d27

80schild

iTrader: (5)

I replaced my mast with one from Modern Day Muscle. It works great.

http://www.moderndaymuscle.com/inc/sdetail/199/794

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

I agree with checking the antenna mast if it's true. It can be done with the mast up but would really take a complete disassemble to be certain. Obviously this is something you'e trying to avoid Scott. And as mentioned it doesn't take much to strain the nylon drive cable. I've had to replace a drive cable just because the mast was dimpled. I was going to suggest Modern Day for the repair kit but 80schild beat me to it.

When my '83's antenna starting being stubborn I looked at the GM replacement. As mentioned it's not even close and doesn't allow making a hybrid of the two. Luckily I just had to repair the drive cable.

The hidden antenna is not a bad idea but leaving the original antenna assembly in place for originality and show.

And to think Jeep used a very similar style drive cable for the power windows on FSJs. At least they were fairly easy to replace.

scottmoyer

I'm not trying to avoid doing anything but constantly replacing the nylon. My antenna is near perfect with no binding, dirt or kinks in the mast itself. The problem I'm having is that the nylon is how old? and it just keeps snapping. My car is stored in my garage with uninsulated steel panels and faces south. My garage can get up to 110* in the summer after I drive a car, park in the garage, and close the door. The sun beating on the door all day raises the temps considerably when the outside ambient air is 97* to start with.

I believe that the nylon replacements are just old and brittle. I'm leaving the antenna as it is for now and will manually raise and lower it as I need it until I can come up with a more permanent fix.

coolram62

iTrader: (2)

I apologise Scott if that came across wrong. I've had my antenna apart several times to clean along with replacing the drive cable. My '83 is nowhere near low mileage (140K) as yours but she's only driven once a month around town. The replacement frequency you mention would get very annoying. And you make a good point in that many of the replacement drive cables are just as old even though they haven't been used. This might actually be worse as they been stored in one position for so long which could be leading to the premature failure.

crushyournumber

Hi Everyone, I know some of this thread is old but after three solid hours of screwing around with my 1991 Trans Am GTA today, I have figured it out. If you take the passenger side lower dash apart and the kick panel on the floor in front of the door you can see three wires being threaded up exactly in the same place where the thick black antenna line is going (which is straight up to the antenna of course). Simply follow these lines and in the very front of the dash there are two relay type plug ins, look for the one with the same color wires going to it (3 wires total). Mine had a green wire like a previous person posted. Simply unplug that relay switch and your antenna power is cut off! No more antenna motor humming all day!

The only downside to this is that your antenna will no longer work properly. I didn't matter for me because I have an aftermarket stereo and I connect it my ipod so I don't listen to the radio anyway. This is a lot easier then taking the fender off.....hope this helps. Thanks--Ray

scottmoyer

Not sure if you read the entire thread, but you don't need to remove the fender to fix the antenna.

crushyournumber

Hi Scott--Yes, I mis-spoke. But what I meant was that you don't have to take the wheel off, and then the inner fender which is still a pain in the butt for a lousy antenna..........I actually just drove my car and the antenna actually is giving me reception on most stations anyway-- so this was the perfect fix for me. That relay that I unplugged must have only been for the power to the antenna itself. Do you know if that is correct or not? Thanks, Ray

scottmoyer

The relay is for power to the antenna only. If the antenna is up, you should get full reception.

b-benny

Found mine, 89 Formula power antenna cord replacement (top metal section and white cord with hook) at AntennaMastRus - MSTGM6 cable (OEM); $23.50 -Talk to Chuck he will help you out 1-920-686-0644
I'm out trying to get the unit out from under - mast is stuck up and I can't get it pushed/forced down.
Any ideas on how to do this would be appreciated?

1985blktransam

iTrader: (1)

Why bother fixing if New is still available, well thats me. The Power Antenna for F-body cars is still available from GM. Mine recently went and my Pontiac Mechanic was surprised that it was still available. Frankly, so was I. I bought an extra just as a spare. Great price from gmpartsdirect.

Its in the car and works great

GM Parts Direct:

Search Results of Available Items*Prices are Per Unit
</B></SPAN>

Page 1:</SPAN> 1-1 of 1 items
GM PART # 88891017
CATEGORY: Power Radio Antenna Module
PACK QTY: 1
CORE CHARGE: $0.00


List Price:$274.68Price:$141.46You Save:$133.22 (49%) DESCRIPTION: ANTENNA
Hope this helps

scottmoyer

Why spend hundreds of dollars to replace the entire antenna unit when the nylon is brittle and will keep breaking. They had repair kits for less than $20 versus whatever you paid! Sorry, but your post doesn't help much. The nylon is 25 years old in the repair kit and also in the antenna, so I'll spend the $20, you can keep spending the $150+!

White93z34

iTrader: (1)

I'm still irritated with my power antenna. I purchased a replacement mast from corvette central this summer it worked great for about a day till the nylon cord kinked and it just got worse from there. the metal hook that goes into the wheel was able to move around, creating a weak point in the nylon. I've given up on it for now and just been dealing with it only going up about 2/3 of the way. Till I am no longer irritated enough to buy another.

scottmoyer

Or you could do what I did and remove the majority of the nylon inside the antenna, but leave that hook with a small amount of the nylon attached. That small amount won't allow the antenna to fully go down and inside the fender. Mine currently sits about 1/4" above the antenna base. Just enough to get a finger grip on it and manually raise and lower it. It really sucks when you get in the car and start driving, then you realize that you forgot to lift the antenna and you're too lazy to stop and raise it, so you enjoy the wind in your face for the entire drive!

1985blktransam

iTrader: (1)

It was a suggestion, the antenna rod replacement is very finicky, so to me the I spend the the $150.

My TA is worth it

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Is it just like the orginal or is it "updated"?

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Scott - I read a thread on Turbotransam.com - somebody over there replaced the nylon with steel cable. He welded it to the curved piece, and to the mast. He did not provide pictures or details, but it might be worth looking into for a permanent fix.

1985blktransam

iTrader: (1)

Well, its hard for me to say. My 85 TA did not come with the Factory Power Antenna, so I had a friend of mine who was the service manager at a chevy dealership install it for me. It worked for 20 years !!!

The New Power Antenna part I listed earlier is a more slim design and abit smaller from what I originaly had.

I personally like it. Especially its a GM part, so it look alot better and sleeker on the fender.

Thanks

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Do you have a picture of what it looks like on the fender?

scottmoyer

I'm planning on fixing mine, but with a heavy duty weed eater cable. I haven't started looking for one in the correct size. I figure, that since the ends are crimped onto the nylon now, I can melt it out, leave the crimps, force a new cable into the metal ends and heat it up again to melt around the crimping. Not sure it will work, but how can it be any different than what I have now? Using new cable, I'm hoping that it will last longer than the replacements I keep buying.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

Take pics - I am sure I will wind up doing mine again soon!!

Drew

iTrader: (58)

That might work, but don't you think you'd be better off with the Pivotrim?



I mean come on, the Pivotrim can clear fields, edge sidewalks, and still cut through plywood. Can your power antenna do that?

svrider76

I wanted to add a little insight on the subject of the stock motor/mast being universal. I went to the junk yard and pulled a power antenna out of an '85 Oldsmobile 88. Turns out its the exact same motor/stalk/antenna/threads as the one that was in my TA. Only difference was the bracket that was screwed in with the tiny screws that have 3 threads on them. I unscrewed the bracket that was on the motor from the Olds and screwed on the one correct for my car. Drop in part.

Looks like my antenna has been replaced before, as was the one i had pulled from junk yard (was newer than mine but still a delco part with same part number as the one in my car). Key is to find a GM car with the antenna down. I grabbed the tip of the antenna with needle nose and made sure it wasn't free to move up and down (indicating an already broken chord) . $13 bucks and Ive got a solution for now. Just hope that the one i pulled isn't on its way out. It was actually harder to get to the Olds antenna than it was to get to mine. The Olds has a fully plastic wheel-well.

This is a great solution for someone who wants to convert to power antenna or someone who wants to have a back up motor. Could rebuild the junk yard motor, drop into your car, and then rebuild the one you took out and have a spare.

Just FYI info.

scottmoyer

I thought about these, Drew, but then I realized they weren't long enough to get the antenna all the way up!

What about a thin fish tape used for house wiring? The one I have now is too heavy, but I might be able to find a thinner one at Home Depot. This is the time to be resourceful. If nobody makes a replacement, I need to make my own.