Does anyone have any experience installing a new power antenna mast on a FD? Girlfriend took it to a non touchless carwash and left the radio on, ended up bending the antenna to where it doesn't lower completely. Mazda dealership quoted me $180 in labor, and I can't seem to find my service manual anywhere. Any help would be much appreciated. I'm not even sure how to remove the old one..

 

The FD has two antennas. The FM one is also the rear window defogger. The electric one on the right rear is for AM only. Unleass you are a big AM fan, why waste money to fix it. Just force it to retract or cut the top off and place/glue it in place.

 

There was a post that explained and contradicted that two antenna theory. The window antenna only works with the stock radio and it's supposed to balance out noise. The automatic antenna is not for AM only.

You can get just the replacement mast or the whole unit from mazdaformance.com or the dealer if you want. I would rather take mine to a "professional" strereo shop if you can find one.

I tried last weekend and couldn't even figure out how to get the plastic panels off. I guess i'll have to pay the stereo shop to.

 

I've already bought the mast, still unsure how to remove that black ring at the base. Seems like a set of snap ring pliers would work, but that's just a guess..

 

GORACER, the quality of my first hand experienced radio reception disproves your second hand knowledge and hearsay! I did not fix my antenna after it broke a second time. Only AM was affected. In fact after my original radio crapped out it's FM section I replaced it with a radio out of my wifes MX3 (one antenna) because she bought a better one for her car. Great/normal FM reception with only the back defroster antenna and weak AM reception without the mast antenna being disconnected.

Speak only of what you know or can prove!

 

^ that's silly ...You proved "nothing" yourself!
My radio does not work with the antenna down and neither does the person from this post and everyone else. Someone allready explained the purpose of the window antenne in another thread. The power antenna is not for AM, that's rediculous!

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...hlight=antenna

 

That thread is hearsay by ameteurs.

Go read the Mazda RX-7 1993 Body Electrical Troubleshooting Manual. Page J1-33 and J1-34.

AM reception problems are the mast. FM reception problems are the top of the defroster section.