Finally happened – antenna mast won't go down
02-25-17, 12:41 PM
#1
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Finally happened – antenna mast won't go down
So the power antenna has always been clunky sounding since I got my FD and I've read that they often break. I took my car out for a short drive today and the when I turned the radio off, the antenna motor starting making clunking sounds while the antenna stayed up.
Since I wanted to go for an automated car wash without risking the antenna snapping off, I drove home and did a little research online. A couple guys mentioned pushing the antenna down manually with a little extra force, which I did very carefully.
When I started the car up again, the antenna went back up automatically, which probably means I left the radio on.
So, it looks like the antenna is partly broken – it still goes up but it won't go down by itself. Radio reception seems fine when the antenna is up. I'm assuming the strip/gear teeth are stripped or the motor is broken somehow. What would you guys do? I know that the antenna mast assembly is probably still available for reasonable prices, but they seem to break a lot.
I'm not sure if this is the original antenna mast, but I could theoretically leave it like this... use the radio as normal and push it down manually afterwards. That sounds super ghetto but I don't know if it is worth fixing if it's just going to break again...
Since I wanted to go for an automated car wash without risking the antenna snapping off, I drove home and did a little research online. A couple guys mentioned pushing the antenna down manually with a little extra force, which I did very carefully.
When I started the car up again, the antenna went back up automatically, which probably means I left the radio on.
So, it looks like the antenna is partly broken – it still goes up but it won't go down by itself. Radio reception seems fine when the antenna is up. I'm assuming the strip/gear teeth are stripped or the motor is broken somehow. What would you guys do? I know that the antenna mast assembly is probably still available for reasonable prices, but they seem to break a lot.
I'm not sure if this is the original antenna mast, but I could theoretically leave it like this... use the radio as normal and push it down manually afterwards. That sounds super ghetto but I don't know if it is worth fixing if it's just going to break again...
Last edited by HiWire; 02-25-17 at 08:17 PM.
02-25-17, 05:07 PM
#2
Eye In The Sky
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I removed mine before my car was painted and had them weld a steel filler into the hole.
Radio and stereo systems are way overrated in loud sports cars.
Anyway that antenna is for AM. Who listens to AM?
Radio and stereo systems are way overrated in loud sports cars.
Anyway that antenna is for AM. Who listens to AM?
02-25-17, 07:58 PM
#5
I believe a nylon strip with teeth runs up inside the antennae when going up and reverses when going down. Except when the end of the nylon strip breaks off. And therefor the motor has nothing to bite into. You push it down. The strip coils up and is ready to go up again. For our Probe we could buy the replacement strip but it was too fussy to try to put in.
02-25-17, 08:14 PM
#6
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Thanks, guys.
Redbul, it sounds like the end must have broken off, then. The guys in the antenna repair thread mentioned that it was a pain to thread in as well.
Re: the S2000 antenna... I like that the antenna goes all the way down on my car (for better aero), but the S2000 looks pretty slick too. I think the way Mazda designed this assembly was a mistake. It seems to break a lot and it definitely looks overcomplicated with the clutches and whatnot.
Redbul, it sounds like the end must have broken off, then. The guys in the antenna repair thread mentioned that it was a pain to thread in as well.
Re: the S2000 antenna... I like that the antenna goes all the way down on my car (for better aero), but the S2000 looks pretty slick too. I think the way Mazda designed this assembly was a mistake. It seems to break a lot and it definitely looks overcomplicated with the clutches and whatnot.
02-26-17, 01:04 AM
#7
Old Guys Break Easy
Consider the age. But the Probe was breaking when it was 10 years old. I have a number of RHD antennae. Should work. I can sell you one for US$35 plus postage.
The s2000 unit looks good though. Adds a bit of a modern feel, I feel.
Let me know if you want me to post a picture.
The s2000 unit looks good though. Adds a bit of a modern feel, I feel.
Let me know if you want me to post a picture.
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02-26-17, 08:28 AM
#8
RX-7 Bad Ass
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The nylon toothed strip inside the antenna that moves it up and down is broken. You should still be able to get it new from Mazda - you can get JUST the actual mast without the motor.
Remove the assembly from the car, remove the old mast, remove the cover of the motor and pull the broken nylon strip out of there. Mount the motor in the car, feed the new end of the nylon mast into the motor as far as you can with the radio on then have someone turn the radio off. It will pull the mast in and you're back in business.
The S2000 mod is neat but isn't necessary. It's also nice to have it down when you don't need it.
Dale
Remove the assembly from the car, remove the old mast, remove the cover of the motor and pull the broken nylon strip out of there. Mount the motor in the car, feed the new end of the nylon mast into the motor as far as you can with the radio on then have someone turn the radio off. It will pull the mast in and you're back in business.
The S2000 mod is neat but isn't necessary. It's also nice to have it down when you don't need it.
Dale
02-26-17, 09:52 AM
#9
Antenna masts for the fd are no longer available (Nla) from Mazda. However, you can use a Miata mast that are readily available at the stealership. The very top tip of the antenna are different colors is all. One is silver and one is black. No biggie. If you search the forums the part number for the Miata mast is listed.
Most people I would disbelieve, but you are generally an encyclopedia for this stuff
02-27-17, 03:08 PM
#13
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Thanks for the link. Most people probably wouldn't notice the different color.
03-04-17, 07:51 PM
#15
Constant threat
I just replaced mine a few months ago, used the Miata unit. Easy-peasy.
I've owned my car since 2000 and only replaced the mast twice so...not too bad.
And FYI, the antenna is part of a 'diversity antenna system', there is one antenna built into the rear glass but it works WITH the mast antenna for optimal performance.
I've owned my car since 2000 and only replaced the mast twice so...not too bad.
And FYI, the antenna is part of a 'diversity antenna system', there is one antenna built into the rear glass but it works WITH the mast antenna for optimal performance.
03-05-17, 08:25 AM
#16
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Thread Starter
I'll get the Miata antenna. The chrome tip doesn't look bad at all: https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati.../#post11834001
03-05-17, 09:05 AM
#17
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hmmm.....Screen Name: HI WIRE.....Mast WON'T COME DOWN....Coincidence?...
*for erections more than 4 hours..see head nurse...(unless you have a crush on DR BOB..!)
*for erections more than 4 hours..see head nurse...(unless you have a crush on DR BOB..!)
03-05-17, 11:22 AM
#18
When the, um, SSP toy car pull cord inside my antenna broke, I just slapped on one of those cheap 1 foot long rubber antennas that bend as you speed up. I didn't know that was only an AM antenna, but I do know that I still pull in FM stations fine.
It cost like 10 bucks or so at AutoZone, and it came with a half dozen bases so I could find one that matched my stock one. That was about 8 years ago.
It cost like 10 bucks or so at AutoZone, and it came with a half dozen bases so I could find one that matched my stock one. That was about 8 years ago.