Power Antenna rebuild thread....
#101
Supreme Member
Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
I know its an old thread but i thought i would contribute. I had just bought my GTA 3 years ago and had checked the radio and the power antena went up and down just fine. I drove it home (abt 90 miles) and raised it at speed (70) and then got a cell call. I turned off the radio and it broke. then I had the motor all the time running. luckily the prev owner installed a kill switch for the battery so it was less of a pain. I took it to an ex Pontiac shop and I had purchased the rebuild kit from a dealer (they had to order it from one of the other dealers in state) and I had the second to last one in the state. The tore the motor apart and said it was too jamed up inside to be fixed. I asked them to unplug the harness then and cut the white cable to the mast so I could lower it myself. thats what I do now. If I want I stick something in to pull it out (paper clip) and raise it to listen to music.
I now use my ipod which I bought a charger for that boradcasts on FM and I can pick it up just fine and play my 80s tunes as much as I want! (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o01_s00_i00) is the fm transmitter. works for me. btw.. I have the rebuild mast still. perfect shape but I think I will keep it in case I wanna rebuild myself....
I now use my ipod which I bought a charger for that boradcasts on FM and I can pick it up just fine and play my 80s tunes as much as I want! (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o01_s00_i00) is the fm transmitter. works for me. btw.. I have the rebuild mast still. perfect shape but I think I will keep it in case I wanna rebuild myself....
#103
Supreme Member
Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
I figure that is true. I just dont have time or motivation. thats why I am keeping the cable to do it some other time but i worry it will break shortly thereafter.
I know mine broke cause it was stored a long time and unused so the mast was not greased and when it was at speed and tried to lower there was more tension on it which then caused it to snap.
what kind of metal cable would work? how would that be done?
#104
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
2Quick6 is a member here also. He posted this over on Turbobuick.com when he repaired his power antenna in his TTA. FYI - the buick power antennas are similar, if not the same.
http://turbobuick.com/forums/threads...-again.369135/
http://turbobuick.com/forums/threads...-again.369135/
#106
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
I don't think GM has them anymore. You may find some overpriced NOS ones on Ebay, or another option is to buy the whole mast assembly for about a hundred bucks. The cable idea is great IMHO. If mine breaks again, this is what I am trying.
#107
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
You can buy ones made for early c4 corvettes that fit just fine, It is not as strong a nylon as it should be mine ended up kinking in a few days.
#108
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
That write up intrigued me so much I had to do it after work today. I didn't weld the cable in though, mine had brass ends that I was able to fill with solder get good and hot and insert the cable, then fill the empty areas with it.
If this holds up ill try this on my bonnevilles broken antenna before I pay gm $60 for another mast for that car.
If this holds up ill try this on my bonnevilles broken antenna before I pay gm $60 for another mast for that car.
#110
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
I thought about taking some, but decided against it as that other thread covered it pretty well.
#111
Moderator
Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
I found a guy on the AACA forums that fixes power antennas. He uses a plastic coated steel cable, much like the OEM setup. For $50 or $60, I was thinking of using this guy since I have not been able to get my antenna fixed. He guarantees his work for life!
The GM repair kits are as worthless today as the original antenna because the nylon cord is the same age and will break in no time at all. I'm glad to see that someone figured a new way using this cable method. I plan on hitting up the Home Depot today to get the cable. One question for those that have done this already, will standard copper pipe flux core solder hold these together, or do I need a different type of solder/torch. I don't have any other metal working tools other than for copper plumbing. Thanks
The GM repair kits are as worthless today as the original antenna because the nylon cord is the same age and will break in no time at all. I'm glad to see that someone figured a new way using this cable method. I plan on hitting up the Home Depot today to get the cable. One question for those that have done this already, will standard copper pipe flux core solder hold these together, or do I need a different type of solder/torch. I don't have any other metal working tools other than for copper plumbing. Thanks
#113
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
When my power antenna went on my 85 Trans Am, my Mechanic who worked for a Pontiac Dealer for 25 years said the GM repair kits were soo and would break not long after the repair.
A new GM antenna is a newer revised slim design that is still available from GM for 144 bucks, so I went with that option and it looks and works great.
Check it out at Gmpartsdirect.com
GM PART # 88891017
CATEGORY: Power Radio Antenna Module
PACK QTY: 1
CORE CHARGE: $0.00
List Price:$279 Price:$144 You Save:$135 (48%) DESCRIPTION: ANTENNA
For all the aggrevation going back and forth on repairs, I felt the New one was the way to go for me.
Hope this helps
Rob
A new GM antenna is a newer revised slim design that is still available from GM for 144 bucks, so I went with that option and it looks and works great.
Check it out at Gmpartsdirect.com
GM PART # 88891017
CATEGORY: Power Radio Antenna Module
PACK QTY: 1
CORE CHARGE: $0.00
List Price:$279 Price:$144 You Save:$135 (48%) DESCRIPTION: ANTENNA
For all the aggrevation going back and forth on repairs, I felt the New one was the way to go for me.
Hope this helps
Rob
#114
Moderator
Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
And for some, that is the way to go. For me, I need to keep my car look original as it's a low mile car. It's not perfect, but years from now, nobody will look at my car and be able to list the non original parts.
The guys contact info at the AACA website is below. He emailed me his address and phone number, but I don't want to list that here. Tell him I gave you his contact info so he doesn't get paranoid.
email = Barney@texas.net
Here's the thread I found.
http://forums.aaca.org/f200/power-an...ir-306414.html
The guys contact info at the AACA website is below. He emailed me his address and phone number, but I don't want to list that here. Tell him I gave you his contact info so he doesn't get paranoid.
email = Barney@texas.net
Here's the thread I found.
http://forums.aaca.org/f200/power-an...ir-306414.html
#115
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
I understand where your coming from, but if your replacing a part with a GM original replacement part, I would still consider the car original.
If it was aftermarket, then yes I would agree with you.
My intention was to make you aware that GM still make the Power Antenna for F-body cars and it was another option to consider since GM parts are coming scarce for these vehicles.
Hope all works out well for you
Later
Rob
If it was aftermarket, then yes I would agree with you.
My intention was to make you aware that GM still make the Power Antenna for F-body cars and it was another option to consider since GM parts are coming scarce for these vehicles.
Hope all works out well for you
Later
Rob
#116
Moderator
Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
1985, you might still consider the car original, but judges at shows, when doing 1000 point judging, don't. Based on what you're saying, an IROC-Z with the 91/92 hood blisters will also work. It is not correct and many people want to keep their car as correct as possible for future reference.
Back to the topic with the antenna repair...I purchased 48" of the 3/32" cable at Home Depot, started the torch and melted out all of the old nylon still attached to the antenna and the mast. I did measure the original length of the cable before using my Dremel to cut the new cable to exact lengths. The Dremel kept the ends perfectly round and not mashed up due to side cutters.
I I inserted the cable ends into the mast and hook, heated them up and dropped some solder into the ends. I held the end steady until the solder hardened to keep things aligned and in place. Once everything was soldered in, I put the antenna back together and then put the car back together. The antenna works flawlessly again with no extra noise or binding. I'm happy again!!!
Back to the topic with the antenna repair...I purchased 48" of the 3/32" cable at Home Depot, started the torch and melted out all of the old nylon still attached to the antenna and the mast. I did measure the original length of the cable before using my Dremel to cut the new cable to exact lengths. The Dremel kept the ends perfectly round and not mashed up due to side cutters.
I I inserted the cable ends into the mast and hook, heated them up and dropped some solder into the ends. I held the end steady until the solder hardened to keep things aligned and in place. Once everything was soldered in, I put the antenna back together and then put the car back together. The antenna works flawlessly again with no extra noise or binding. I'm happy again!!!
#117
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
Thats about what I did, I used lead based solder for electrical application since its all I had, I had to wait a bit to burn most of the flux off but after that it works good, feels solid and it works great now. I'm going to try this same method on my buddies 88' Fleetwood since it looks to use the same if not a very similar power antenna.
#118
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
And for some, that is the way to go. For me, I need to keep my car look original as it's a low mile car. It's not perfect, but years from now, nobody will look at my car and be able to list the non original parts.
The guys contact info at the AACA website is below. He emailed me his address and phone number, but I don't want to list that here. Tell him I gave you his contact info so he doesn't get paranoid.
email = Barney@texas.net
Here's the thread I found.
http://forums.aaca.org/f200/power-an...ir-306414.html
The guys contact info at the AACA website is below. He emailed me his address and phone number, but I don't want to list that here. Tell him I gave you his contact info so he doesn't get paranoid.
email = Barney@texas.net
Here's the thread I found.
http://forums.aaca.org/f200/power-an...ir-306414.html
- Did you end up having him do the repair
- If so, has it help up and is everything working smoothly?
#119
Moderator
Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
I did the repair myself. Look at post 116. It wasn't difficult to do at all. Like I mentioned, I purchased 48" of the cable, heated both ends of the antenna to melt out the nylon, inserted one end of the cable into the hook end and melted solder around it and let it set up. I cut the cable to be the same length the nylon was, inserted the the cable into the top mast of the antenna and soldered it on. I now had a replacement antenna repair kit! Yes, it still works fine and I don't expect to ever have the cable break again. My only concern is the solder joint, but it seemed fairly secure when I put it together.
#120
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
I took the antenna apart, but it appears to be an older version than the one used as an example here: http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...r-antenna.html
Mine doesn't have all of the same parts, possibly because it is 10 years older.
The only thing I am unsure of is where the other end of the wire is. The nylon string had broken and one metal clip is inside the gear, but how do I access the second metal end which is inside the antenna itself? Do I have to remove the antenna from the mast first? If so, how did you go about it? The above article I posted was good, but now that I've begun, there's a lot of steps he omitted and/or could have explained better. And also previously mentioned was the fact that our antennas are slightly different. I've been taking photos of my progress so far and will later update this thread or make a new one with full photos since at least this antenna will be exclusive to third gens.
Mine doesn't have all of the same parts, possibly because it is 10 years older.
The only thing I am unsure of is where the other end of the wire is. The nylon string had broken and one metal clip is inside the gear, but how do I access the second metal end which is inside the antenna itself? Do I have to remove the antenna from the mast first? If so, how did you go about it? The above article I posted was good, but now that I've begun, there's a lot of steps he omitted and/or could have explained better. And also previously mentioned was the fact that our antennas are slightly different. I've been taking photos of my progress so far and will later update this thread or make a new one with full photos since at least this antenna will be exclusive to third gens.
#122
Moderator
Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
The ball/finial at the top is screwed on. You need to remove that and the top piece of the antenna will fall out the bottom. You'll see where the nylon attaches in there. Be very careful when trying to remove the finial so you don't mark up the finial or the antenna itself.
#123
Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
I have done the same repair that Scott mentions on a couple of antennas and they are still working great without any problems. It was very easy and cheap!
#124
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
Very cool, I have two power antenna that have this usual problem. I don't want to spend money for something I will barely use now that I have an auxiliary input to my original radio, but it's a bit irritating to have something that doesn't work properly in a freshly restored car.
I'm gonna try this.
I'm gonna try this.
#125
#126
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
The GM part number 88891017 is the new power antenna I used in my 85 Trans Am. Looks more slender that the original GM one it replaced. Comes as the whole unit with hardware.
Do noy buy from the dealer, go to www.gmpartsdirect.com
88891017 - ANTENNA
GM PART # 88891017
CATEGORY: Power Radio Antenna Module
PACK QTY: 1
CORE CHARGE: $0.00
List Price:$279.90Price:$142.75You Save:$137.15 (49%) DESCRIPTION: ANTENNA
Hope this helps
Do noy buy from the dealer, go to www.gmpartsdirect.com
88891017 - ANTENNA
GM PART # 88891017
CATEGORY: Power Radio Antenna Module
PACK QTY: 1
CORE CHARGE: $0.00
List Price:$279.90Price:$142.75You Save:$137.15 (49%) DESCRIPTION: ANTENNA
Hope this helps
#127
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
I am doing the steel cable this weekend. Going to do it once and be done. Even if it did come apart, I am only out some solder or a quick weld and some time.
Sure don't make sense to me, in my situation, to replace the whole motor or just the nylon part. I don't drive this thing enough...
I'll let you know how it turns out.
Sure don't make sense to me, in my situation, to replace the whole motor or just the nylon part. I don't drive this thing enough...
I'll let you know how it turns out.
#128
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
The GM part number 88891017 is the new power antenna I used in my 85 Trans Am. Looks more slender that the original GM one it replaced. Comes as the whole unit with hardware.
Do noy buy from the dealer, go to www.gmpartsdirect.com
88891017 - ANTENNA
GM PART # 88891017
CATEGORY: Power Radio Antenna Module
PACK QTY: 1
CORE CHARGE: $0.00
List Price:$279.90Price:$142.75You Save:$137.15 (49%) DESCRIPTION: ANTENNA
Hope this helps
Do noy buy from the dealer, go to www.gmpartsdirect.com
88891017 - ANTENNA
GM PART # 88891017
CATEGORY: Power Radio Antenna Module
PACK QTY: 1
CORE CHARGE: $0.00
List Price:$279.90Price:$142.75You Save:$137.15 (49%) DESCRIPTION: ANTENNA
Hope this helps
#129
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
Sorry but i need some help here. How exactly do you remove the ball? I used a vise to hold the mast and tried to remove the ball but its stuck. And how long is the cable? Someone have opened the antenna and removed some of the old cable.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
#131
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
You can use a 9/32" socket on the "ball". It doesn't mark it up at all, unlike pliers.
#132
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
I just did the repair from post #116. so far it has worked out well.
Thanks, I am glad to have found this post.
Thanks, I am glad to have found this post.
#133
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
Let me ask this.....all o you are complaining that your antenna cable broke, motor keeps running? My issue is diff. I have an 84 Trans Am with 36K orig miles, stays in warehouse and is used about 150 to 200 miles a year. All miles were the first two years of the cars life. The antenna has always had an issue such as it would not go down as soon as car or radio were off, it would go down later....10 min to next day. Other times it would work right then. Well, a week ago i drove it, antenna went up, but when turned off didn't go down. It has been a week now. I do not here the motor running so it is not the same issue as all of you have had. When I turn radio on and off, I do here the click (half second later) on passenger side under dash as if it was trying to send signal to antenna? What are the thoughts? A relay gone bad?
#134
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Car: 1988 GTA
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
Let me ask this.....all o you are complaining that your antenna cable broke, motor keeps running? My issue is diff. I have an 84 Trans Am with 36K orig miles, stays in warehouse and is used about 150 to 200 miles a year. All miles were the first two years of the cars life. The antenna has always had an issue such as it would not go down as soon as car or radio were off, it would go down later....10 min to next day. Other times it would work right then. Well, a week ago i drove it, antenna went up, but when turned off didn't go down. It has been a week now. I do not here the motor running so it is not the same issue as all of you have had. When I turn radio on and off, I do here the click (half second later) on passenger side under dash as if it was trying to send signal to antenna? What are the thoughts? A relay gone bad?
#135
Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
The GM part number 88891017 is the new power antenna I used in my 85 Trans Am. Looks more slender that the original GM one it replaced. Comes as the whole unit with hardware.
Do noy buy from the dealer, go to www.gmpartsdirect.com
88891017 - ANTENNA
GM PART # 88891017
CATEGORY: Power Radio Antenna Module
PACK QTY: 1
CORE CHARGE: $0.00
List Price:$279.90Price:$142.75You Save:$137.15 (49%) DESCRIPTION: ANTENNA
Hope this helps
Do noy buy from the dealer, go to www.gmpartsdirect.com
88891017 - ANTENNA
GM PART # 88891017
CATEGORY: Power Radio Antenna Module
PACK QTY: 1
CORE CHARGE: $0.00
List Price:$279.90Price:$142.75You Save:$137.15 (49%) DESCRIPTION: ANTENNA
Hope this helps
#137
#138
Moderator
Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
That's what he is saying. It does not look like the original, so from a 1000 point restoration standpoint, it's not correct, but it will work and is the GM replacement for our antenna. GM also sells replacement floor mats for our cars. They are not the exact same design as ours were from the factory, but they are a replacement design that will fit the car, so GM gives a part number that will work. It might not be an exact looking piece as original, but it'll do the job if that's all you care about.
#139
Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
That's what he is saying. It does not look like the original, so from a 1000 point restoration standpoint, it's not correct, but it will work and is the GM replacement for our antenna. GM also sells replacement floor mats for our cars. They are not the exact same design as ours were from the factory, but they are a replacement design that will fit the car, so GM gives a part number that will work. It might not be an exact looking piece as original, but it'll do the job if that's all you care about.
#141
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
This is good info... when I got my GTA, I didn't know I had a power antenna because the PO had already cut the green wire.
I found out when I accessed the ECM. Some time prior to that, I had a run-in with a deer, and it snapped my antenna mast, among other damage.
Going to Eckler's, I found that the kit previously mentioned is still available, for around 40 bucks... it's for a vette, but as injdinjn points out, it is adaptable for use with our cars. It's on my list.
I found out when I accessed the ECM. Some time prior to that, I had a run-in with a deer, and it snapped my antenna mast, among other damage.
Going to Eckler's, I found that the kit previously mentioned is still available, for around 40 bucks... it's for a vette, but as injdinjn points out, it is adaptable for use with our cars. It's on my list.
#142
Moderator
Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
Wow! $40 for something that might break again really soon. I went through three kits in less than two years before finally doing the cable mod. I was buying these repair kits for $15-$17 as recently as 2010. If you want to spend $40 for this, go ahead, but it's way overpriced and may break again due to the potential age of the nylon.
The solder option has worked for me, but my car doesn't get driven daily so I can't talk of durability. I've not had any issues with mine since, but again, it doesn't get used much. The weld would have to be very small so that the top mast could slide easily inside the lower masts. The solder flowed inside nicely. I'm not a welder so I can tell you that I would screw that up.
The solder option has worked for me, but my car doesn't get driven daily so I can't talk of durability. I've not had any issues with mine since, but again, it doesn't get used much. The weld would have to be very small so that the top mast could slide easily inside the lower masts. The solder flowed inside nicely. I'm not a welder so I can tell you that I would screw that up.
Last edited by scottmoyer; 06-20-2013 at 12:03 PM.
#143
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
I did the cable/solder job about a year ago after the kit I bought from Ecklers failed inside of a couple of days. Cost me next to nothing and is still working good a year later I don't daily drive my car but I drive it quite a bit when the weather is nice.
#144
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Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
Wow! $40 for something that might break again really soon. I went through three kits in less than two years before finally doing the cable mod. I was buying these repair kits for $15-$17 as recently as 2010. If you want to spend $40 for this, go ahead, but it's way overpriced and may break again due to the potential age of the nylon.
The solder option has worked for me, but my car doesn't get driven daily so I can't talk of durability. I've not had any issues with mine since, but again, it doesn't get used much. The weld would have to be very small so that the top mast could slide easily inside the lower masts. The solder flowed inside nicely. I'm not a welder so I can tell you that I would screw that up.
The solder option has worked for me, but my car doesn't get driven daily so I can't talk of durability. I've not had any issues with mine since, but again, it doesn't get used much. The weld would have to be very small so that the top mast could slide easily inside the lower masts. The solder flowed inside nicely. I'm not a welder so I can tell you that I would screw that up.
That will teach me not to read every single post in a thread. I skipped over the ones that said the Eckler's kit kept breaking, and also the ones about the steel cable.
Years ago, I bought an aftermarket power antenna, and the plastic cable broke within 6 months. So I cleverly decided to use a steel cable that I soldered in place of the old plastic cable. The result was that I effectively grounded the antenna, rendering it useless.
Apparently, in this case, a steel cable is a viable option. Thanks for pointing that out.
The Eckler's kit appealed to me because it had a new antenna mast, which I need thanks to the deer strike. Any thoughts on the cheapest way to get my hands on a replacement mast?
Last edited by ternandes; 06-20-2013 at 01:46 PM.
#147
Moderator
Re: Power Antenna rebuild thread....
You know, I don't remember. It makes sense that I would use pipe solder because I used a torch to heat things up, but I don't know if I still had any pipe solder. I'm thinking I used pipe solder. I don't know if the electronic solder would hold up. But then again, the area to solder is small and pipe solder is much thicker and could make a large mess in comparison to the electronics solder.