Aerial mast replacement??

[Slocrow]

My 93 Camry aerial mast was getting progressively lower so I pulled the assembly to look it over. I've got it on the bench now and hesitate to start disassembly on the if come. What should I do to dissemble? I assume it's a ribbon nylon that raises and lowers and I like to check to see if it's broken and needs replacement. Has anybody done this and can I get some instructions or experienced information on what to look for and what to do? Also, which of the four pins in the connection is power and ground so that I may bench test it. Thanks, Frank

[Nick]

you can get a replacement mast on ebay, i think arcasmachineracing (sarg) was selling his entire anteanna assembly, you could probably get that off him

its pretty straight fwd, just replacement

i forgot my haynes manual 800kms away, but there's a wiring diagram in there if anyone would be so kind to figure out what the remote signal and power wires are...

[Slocrow]

Thanks Nick. I'm wondering if somebody can tell me how to take it apart to scope it out, also...Frank

[Nick]

i took mine appart a long time ago, its only a couple of obvious bolts that hold it into the car, and for the top one, with the anteanna down, put some needle nose pliers in the 2 grooves and turn counter clockwise

the round thing is where the plastic ribbon is stored, watch out it comes out pretty easily

[Slocrow]

Nick; I already had it out of the car. I am wondering if there are any specific instructions to removing the mast from the power antenna body and how to correctly open up the take-up reel box?
On my Corvette I also had to remove the top nut and just turn on the radio which raised the mast. With the top nut gone and the mast already stuck in the up position, all I had to do was give a little tug to remove the mast. The problem I had with the Corvette was that the nylon attached leader had broken off 6" from it's end and wasn't allowing the new leader to be taken up on the reel spool. I had to take off the side cover of the take up reel to remove the broken piece before the new leader would grab on to be wound.
In the Camry something is not allowing the nylon leader to be fully extended. A skipped or broken section or stripped teeth is my guess and I'd like to open up the reel box to take a look. I just don't want to break anything or remove unnecessary items in the process so I was looking for a little information and any heads up.
I see the 10/32 size nut in the center of the reel, is that all there is to pop the cap and get a look?
Thanks,again, Frank

[Nick]

when i took mine apart i was just taking off random screws, i didn't screw anything up, if you can remind me of this thread on sunday/monday, i'll be back home, i'll get more info from my manual

[Slocrow]

That's OK Nick, don't bother. I just yanked it apart. The mast seems to be the culprit because now that it's all apart, it won't budge. Too get things apart, I first removed the reel cover nut and then the cover came off. Next I removed the reel allowing the wound nylon ribbon to go free but it was still not moveable as the motor held the drive wheel which held the large idler/take-up wheel/reel. The larger 5/8" vertical pipe that attaches to the underside of the rear fender that the mast and ribbon goes through had a small screw securing the vertical pipe to the base assembly. With the motor removed and this screw removed the mast, attached ribbon and pipe could be removed from the base with a little persuasion. I then had to remove the mast from the outer vertical pipe. A locking sleeve and a rubber seal/gasket kept it in place. That locking sleeve on the mast won't come off because of the aerial top knob and a little bushing at the mast bottom so I hope a replacement comes already in place with the new mast otherwise I'll be trying to figure out how to get the top button/knob off the aerial.
I hope it goes back together correctly and I'll be pricing a new mast tomorrow. I'm also going onto e-bay to see if I can find that assembly you refereed to and how much is the going cost. Thanks, Frank.
PS: Happy New Year....

[Nick]

hey frank, find arcarmachineracing and email/pm him (he`s one of the top post whores so he`s pretty much everywhere)

he took his off and put in an s2000 anteanna, and i know he`s been looking at selling it, it'll be much cheaper

you can also find replacement masts on ebay