Trying to replace antenna mast
 

I tried fishing the new line through the top of the motor but it only retracts about 5inches or so, I believe theres a tooth left over from the old mast so I pulled the whole motor out. I see a rubber tube at the bottom, what is that for? was it connected to anything???

The rubber tube at the bottom allows water that seeps into the motor through the antenna (remember it's not sealed) to go out the bottom of the car. Make sure when you re-install the motor to get that tube goes out the hole in the panel, or you'll be replacing the panel, and according to my parts guy, there's two left in the country. If they didn't cost $750, I'd be tempted to store it..

Anyway, I've worked with the FC and Miata automatic antennas, and I don't think the FD's is real different. SOMEtimes you can get the old antenna out and feed the new one in, but usually only IF the mast line didn't break, like it got folded over but didn't try to retract when you shut the car off. Like that EVER happens. So more often, you have to pull the round cover, and have the old greasy nasty mast line spring out on you like a chest burster from Aliens. You then can place the extended mast into it's relevant slot, put the cover back on, plug the antenna in, turn on the car and turn the radio on and off. When it shuts off, the gear should retract the mast. Then you can install the whole works again. OR, you can attempt to wrap the cable around the wheel with the antenna collapsed, put it together, and see if it works. I've done it both ways. The feeding routine took a couple tries, the winding technique is a pain but gets it right the first time.

Hope this helps in any way!

Hi! thanks for replying, i tried feeding in the new mast but it wouldnt retract no more than a few inches, i figure there was a busted tooth still in the motor so i decided to take it out. Removing the 1/4 interior panel was not cool, funny thing is, it was just as hard putting it back in. Anyways, i left the tube dangling from the motor when i put it back into the panel, i didnt notice, or really had room to see if there was any hole for the tube to go through.. i pretty much just stuffed the tube down and left it there.... now you got me worrying and will probably go back in and put the tube into the appropriate hole... damn thats gonna suck.... thanks for the input though! much appreciated!