It's me again except this is a real problem.
09-14-11, 04:26 PM
#1
It's me again except this is a real problem.
So got back from a long day at school, decided to take the Mazda out. Well while I was out I decided to see if all my electronics worked, tried the radio, my headlights, etc., well I put my radio antenna up it went up fine but when I went to put it down it got stuck about half way. It's not the motor (I think) it still makes noise (if that's good), but now it won't go up nor down and when I went to force it down just to see if the rod it's self got stuck it won't budge. Alright so that's the background story, and this it what I have done to solve my problem. I removed my right rear panel to see if I can get to the motor and I can't I don't know what's what it's hidden by sheet metal, now there are a couple wires leading to my tail lights and then there are 2 bolts that I believe is what the motor is held on with. Can anyone help, car looks so goofy right now with half my antenna up. I hope the pictures help you guys.
09-14-11, 06:59 PM
#4
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: MN
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Remove the right side taillight. Get at the taillight by lifting the carpet curtain at the rear of the hatch. Remove the 8 10mm nuts that attach the taillight and disconnect the taillight harness connector there. With the taillight set aside, you will have open access to the antenna. Dealing with the same problem here--that is, a worn out original antenna but not yet replaced.
09-14-11, 09:18 PM
#6
If you can't get it most of the way down, you're gonna have a hell of a time getting it out of the fenderwell.
Soak the shaft sections down with a light oil (not wd-40, but a true lubricating oil like 3-in-1) including where it goes into the fender but keep it off the paint, & let it sit overnight.
Soak the shaft sections down with a light oil (not wd-40, but a true lubricating oil like 3-in-1) including where it goes into the fender but keep it off the paint, & let it sit overnight.
09-14-11, 10:49 PM
#7
Alright the tail light assembly has never been removed from this car. When I remove the taillight assembly I know for a fact that the gasket will crumble in my hands, where can I get a replacement, or can i make my own? Also is there a gasket for the antenna itself that I have to get. Thanks guys for all the help.
Trending Topics
09-14-11, 11:47 PM
#8
Lurking on thread near U
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you can't get it most of the way down, you're gonna have a hell of a time getting it out of the fenderwell.
Soak the shaft sections down with a light oil (not wd-40, but a true lubricating oil like 3-in-1) including where it goes into the fender but keep it off the paint, & let it sit overnight.
Soak the shaft sections down with a light oil (not wd-40, but a true lubricating oil like 3-in-1) including where it goes into the fender but keep it off the paint, & let it sit overnight.
I have never bothered to worry about the gaskets, but if you're concerned you could always seal it up with a dab of RTV silicone.
09-14-11, 11:47 PM
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: MN
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have not yet permanently replaced my antenna. My temporary solution is just an old window-mount antenna that I have laying down in the hatch area. AM reception is poor but FM is OK.
The quickest fix requiring no wiring adaptation is one of the short motorless rubber antennas (low cost--Metra is one brand) or one of the direct oem replacements (high cost--Mazdatrix has them).
There are a couple of reasonably priced substitute power antennas discussed in a couple of threads here. I think they all require at least a little wiring work and bracket fabrication.
When my antenna failed, it was stuck in the up position. I was able to get it to retract by having a helper flip the antenna switch on the dash while I stood near the antenna and lightly pressed down on the top of the antenna while the antenna motor ran. Luckily that worked and allowed me to remove the antenna from the fender.
Not sure about a taillight gasket source. Mine seemed intact. For the replacement antennas, from what I have seen it looks like they come with a variety of adapters which I am guessing incorporates something to seal against the fender.
The quickest fix requiring no wiring adaptation is one of the short motorless rubber antennas (low cost--Metra is one brand) or one of the direct oem replacements (high cost--Mazdatrix has them).
There are a couple of reasonably priced substitute power antennas discussed in a couple of threads here. I think they all require at least a little wiring work and bracket fabrication.
When my antenna failed, it was stuck in the up position. I was able to get it to retract by having a helper flip the antenna switch on the dash while I stood near the antenna and lightly pressed down on the top of the antenna while the antenna motor ran. Luckily that worked and allowed me to remove the antenna from the fender.
Not sure about a taillight gasket source. Mine seemed intact. For the replacement antennas, from what I have seen it looks like they come with a variety of adapters which I am guessing incorporates something to seal against the fender.
09-15-11, 06:21 AM
#10
Your antenna mast is actuated by a legnth of plastic/nylon rod. When retracted, the motor coils it up on a spool, like a fishing rod spool. The plastic gets brittle over time and eventually breaks, normally when the antenna is extending (going up) and the rod is pushing (weaker than when its pulling) the mast up. Maxda used to sell replacement masts, but no more. Thats where the aftermarket subsitute anteannas come to the rescue.
The plastic rod is all internal in its housing and trying to force it back around its spool by pushing on the mast would be like trying to push a chain up hill. You may have to bite the bullit and cut it off above the base then fish the motor assembly out. Removing the tail light is not an actual requirement, but a lot of guys find they have more room that way. I'd try the lube first to get it down, order a replacement and get it in my hands, then get serious about removing the current one. Welcome to the world of old cars. They don't care what you have time for or if you can even afford it. Its like having a kid.
The plastic rod is all internal in its housing and trying to force it back around its spool by pushing on the mast would be like trying to push a chain up hill. You may have to bite the bullit and cut it off above the base then fish the motor assembly out. Removing the tail light is not an actual requirement, but a lot of guys find they have more room that way. I'd try the lube first to get it down, order a replacement and get it in my hands, then get serious about removing the current one. Welcome to the world of old cars. They don't care what you have time for or if you can even afford it. Its like having a kid.
09-15-11, 06:52 AM
#11
fwiw, when you remove the tail light, if you are careful, the gasket will come out in one piece and will not crumble. go slow and be careful when removing the tail light. most common mistake is that people forget about the two studs on the outer edge near the amber signal. the tail light must be shifted outwards before it can be pulled from the body.
09-15-11, 09:51 AM
#12
Alright the reason for me saying that I have no time for this project is because I'm currently going to school to become a mechanical engineer, and I currently have a part time job that requires me to come in everyday around 5 PM to closing (10 PM if I'm lucky), and I have to deal with about 5 hours of homework each day. So I've only been getting about 6 hours of sleep each night, because I have 8 AM classes that I have to get to and I have to take an hour to drive to school. I can do the project, and I have the knowledge to do the project. The only catch is that I can't do it right now with school and work, and while I'm trying to replace the antenna I'm going to have my hatch coming down on my head. So I'm not just doing one project but 2 (I have the struts but no time to replace them). Not trying to be rude (if I come off as that way) I just want you guys to understand my situation, and understand why I said what i said. Thanks for all the help just one last question. What is the best antenna so I don't have to make a custom bracket and if I have no other choice what are the dimensions of the bracket needed.
Last edited by Redliner223; 09-15-11 at 10:02 AM. Reason: Misspelling
09-15-11, 11:53 AM
#14
Here's a link to a recent thread on replacement antenna's:
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/possible-successor-radio-shack-power-antenna-962443/
No appologies necessary but beware, it doesn't get better. Time only becomes harder to find as you get older. I had to learn to "make time" for what I really wanted/needed and continually work my way down the list that never ends......
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/possible-successor-radio-shack-power-antenna-962443/
No appologies necessary but beware, it doesn't get better. Time only becomes harder to find as you get older. I had to learn to "make time" for what I really wanted/needed and continually work my way down the list that never ends......
09-15-11, 01:33 PM
#15
Thanks for the link, I was just a little upset over what Mazdaver said. If it wasn't for me (and this site) my dad (original owner) would have junked the car, I'm the reason (u guys too) the car is on the road. I'll order the antenna over the weekend and see how things turn out. Thanks for all the help. 
09-15-11, 02:38 PM
#17
i'm glad you were upset about what i said. shows you really value the car and i can respect that. i don't mean to come across as a ****, but i'm in a guy that restores RX-7's to factory spec, and i know that cars can take months to make right. i do hate when people hack the 7's apart and rig things to save a couple bucks at the expense of a job done right. i appreciate your response and understand your situation. i haven't done much work lately myself due to my busy work schedule and my kids and such. it does however sound like you have the ambition to get the job done properly.
i have found over the years that cheap rubber antennas are garbage and look like garbage as well. Ray found a very nice replacement as pointed out in that post. seems to almost be a factory clone. i say go for that as the oem ones are getting harder and harder to come by. i have one power unit left in stock that i've been hording for quite some time...hoping i guess that its still good.
i have found over the years that cheap rubber antennas are garbage and look like garbage as well. Ray found a very nice replacement as pointed out in that post. seems to almost be a factory clone. i say go for that as the oem ones are getting harder and harder to come by. i have one power unit left in stock that i've been hording for quite some time...hoping i guess that its still good.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post