Replacement Antenna Mast
11-21-14, 01:17 PM
#1
Replacement Antenna Mast
After 21 years of up/down abuse, the plastic winder in my antenna broke. Dreading this day, knowing that the replacement mast has been NLA (no longer available) for years, I started looking for a compatible replacement.
After buying what was supposed to be a direct fit mast from eBay, which turned out to be not even remotely close, I decided it was time to do some R&D.
Started looking at other Mazda mast knowing that they have a tendency to issue new part numbers for the same parts with minor cosmetic changes. I found one that looked promising in the 99-05 Miata mast, called Ray at Malloy and ordered one. Low and behold it is an exact replacement, with the exception of the tip being polished instead of black. Part# B05A-66-A30 and there a bunch of them in stock.
Miata mast with the FD antenna insulator installed Part # FD01-66-A9Z
Here it is installed, decided to replace the outer mount and nut also Part # FD01-66-A9Y .
And up
For less than $100 everything is brand new and I actually like the shiny bit better.
After buying what was supposed to be a direct fit mast from eBay, which turned out to be not even remotely close, I decided it was time to do some R&D.
Started looking at other Mazda mast knowing that they have a tendency to issue new part numbers for the same parts with minor cosmetic changes. I found one that looked promising in the 99-05 Miata mast, called Ray at Malloy and ordered one. Low and behold it is an exact replacement, with the exception of the tip being polished instead of black. Part# B05A-66-A30 and there a bunch of them in stock.
Miata mast with the FD antenna insulator installed Part # FD01-66-A9Z
Here it is installed, decided to replace the outer mount and nut also Part # FD01-66-A9Y .
And up
For less than $100 everything is brand new and I actually like the shiny bit better.
11-21-14, 06:46 PM
#3
Constant threat
After 21 years of up/down abuse, the plastic winder in my antenna broke. Dreading this day, knowing that the replacement mast has been NLA (no longer available) for years, I started looking for a compatible replacement.
After buying what was supposed to be a direct fit mast from eBay, which turned out to be not even remotely close, I decided it was time to do some R&D
After buying what was supposed to be a direct fit mast from eBay, which turned out to be not even remotely close, I decided it was time to do some R&D
This is excellent! Thanks for the information. I replaced my mast a couple of years ago and they were still available, but if they are truly NLA, then now we have an alternative.
11-21-14, 09:14 PM
#4
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the FD mast was FD01-66-A3X which went to a 0000-81-A902, both of which are NLA. sometimes there is a date, but not in this case, i don't think its been that long though.
it is nice that something else works!
it is nice that something else works!
11-22-14, 07:52 AM
#5
RX-7 Bad Ass
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Wow, great find! Thanks for finding that and sharing!
Yeah, the stock masts WILL break and die at some point. It's good to know there's a replacement part for a maintenance item like this.
Dale
Yeah, the stock masts WILL break and die at some point. It's good to know there's a replacement part for a maintenance item like this.
Dale
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11-22-14, 11:08 AM
#8
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that is the classic Mazda thing. if you want it, they won't sell it to you! (and then complain you're not making enough money)
11-23-14, 04:53 AM
#9
....Started looking at other Mazda mast knowing that they have a tendency to issue new part numbers for the same parts with minor cosmetic changes. I found one that looked promising in the 99-05 Miata mast, called Ray at Malloy and ordered one. Low and behold it is an exact replacement, with the exception of the tip being polished instead of black. Part# B05A-66-A30 and there a bunch of them in stock......
.....For less than $100 everything is brand new and I actually like the shiny bit better.
.....For less than $100 everything is brand new and I actually like the shiny bit better.
I agree, they do look better in chrome. Pic below of my S8 (with the black tip for comparison):
11-23-14, 09:09 AM
#10
Now that surprises me that Mazda did not have the old part number superseded with this new number when they ran out of the black ones.
I know that if I call up to order a gas tank that the newer S8 version is what we get.
I know that if I call up to order a gas tank that the newer S8 version is what we get.
05-22-15, 05:30 PM
#15
Recovering Miataholic
Thanks much for this thread, had just attempted to buy the original part and was told it was NLA. Then tried to buy the complete antenna assembly... same NLA status.
After Elaine sent me a link to this thread in response to my query (thanks to Ray Crowe for sending me to Banzai), I returned to our local Mazda dealer's parts department. They had the Miata part in stock, not even a special order. And it cost less than the original part I had to buy back in 2009 when it broke the first time!
After Elaine sent me a link to this thread in response to my query (thanks to Ray Crowe for sending me to Banzai), I returned to our local Mazda dealer's parts department. They had the Miata part in stock, not even a special order. And it cost less than the original part I had to buy back in 2009 when it broke the first time!
05-24-15, 06:53 PM
#16
Recovering Miataholic
Finished the "fix" today, but another problem popped up (no pun intended). The new antenna pole raises with no problem, but turning off the radio does not usually fully retract it. Sometimes, yes, but usually it stalls partway down... yet the mechanism does not seem to be at fault. Seems more like an electrical failure which is intermittent; like a broken wire, or bad connection somewhere between the radio and the antenna. Car is back together since I have no intention of taking the antenna unit apart again. It's lubed with white Lithium grease, and everything rotates easily. Have no idea what the cause of the current problem is.
[Edit: Looked in my "1994 Body Electrical Troubleshooting Manual" yesterday (after putting all the trim back on) and noted in the illustration of the power antenna assembly that there is a relay inside; not mentioned in the regular workshop manual. Now I suspect that might be the culprit causing intermittent "down" operation, since I checked out the wiring and it looked OK while I still had access. Not about to remove all that trim again for a while... maybe later.]
[Edit: Looked in my "1994 Body Electrical Troubleshooting Manual" yesterday (after putting all the trim back on) and noted in the illustration of the power antenna assembly that there is a relay inside; not mentioned in the regular workshop manual. Now I suspect that might be the culprit causing intermittent "down" operation, since I checked out the wiring and it looked OK while I still had access. Not about to remove all that trim again for a while... maybe later.]
Last edited by wstrohm; 05-25-15 at 01:03 PM. Reason: New Information
07-28-15, 06:40 AM
#21
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Finished the "fix" today, but another problem popped up (no pun intended). The new antenna pole raises with no problem, but turning off the radio does not usually fully retract it. Sometimes, yes, but usually it stalls partway down... yet the mechanism does not seem to be at fault. Seems more like an electrical failure which is intermittent; like a broken wire, or bad connection somewhere between the radio and the antenna. Car is back together since I have no intention of taking the antenna unit apart again. It's lubed with white Lithium grease, and everything rotates easily. Have no idea what the cause of the current problem is.
[Edit: Looked in my "1994 Body Electrical Troubleshooting Manual" yesterday (after putting all the trim back on) and noted in the illustration of the power antenna assembly that there is a relay inside; not mentioned in the regular workshop manual. Now I suspect that might be the culprit causing intermittent "down" operation, since I checked out the wiring and it looked OK while I still had access. Not about to remove all that trim again for a while... maybe later.]
[Edit: Looked in my "1994 Body Electrical Troubleshooting Manual" yesterday (after putting all the trim back on) and noted in the illustration of the power antenna assembly that there is a relay inside; not mentioned in the regular workshop manual. Now I suspect that might be the culprit causing intermittent "down" operation, since I checked out the wiring and it looked OK while I still had access. Not about to remove all that trim again for a while... maybe later.]
07-29-15, 08:07 PM
#22
Recovering Miataholic
May also be a badly worn gear that's slipping sometimes or a tired motor
Another possibility is the bottom tip of the nylon "rack" jamming against the inside of its storage drum only when trying to retract, but that's just speculation. Someday I may tear the car apart again and will try to find the problem, but not in the near future.
Last edited by wstrohm; 07-29-15 at 08:11 PM.
06-04-16, 07:12 AM
#25
Constant threat
Having to replace my power antenna drive again. Interestingly, the OEM lasted twenty years, the replacement about 3 and literally next to NO use. Oh well.
Point is, I took the part numbers Banzai had supplied in this thread and ordered a new one from my dealer. John Beach, the parts manager who has been at the Wichita store for about 35 years was impressed that someone had been able to cross-reference a working part.
Guys, things like this is one of the BEST elements of this forum!
Thanks to all.
Point is, I took the part numbers Banzai had supplied in this thread and ordered a new one from my dealer. John Beach, the parts manager who has been at the Wichita store for about 35 years was impressed that someone had been able to cross-reference a working part.
Guys, things like this is one of the BEST elements of this forum!
Thanks to all.