Broken Power Antenna Ribbon Tip
06-22-2010, 09:07 PM
#1
Heel & Toe
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Broken Power Antenna Ribbon Tip
I had a broken Harada style power antenna that would no longer go up or down, but I could hear the antenna motor working. I assumed it was a broken antenna ribbon internal to the mast. I purchased the 41423 antenna replacement kit from Ecklers
http://www.ecklers.com/corvette-powe...1988-1992.html
When I removed the original antenna, the ribbon was broken and a piece of it was still in the mast about 8 inches down. My son had the idea of taking a wire sprinkler flag (like you get at HD or Lowes) flattening the end of it and making a 90 degree bend in the flattened end. Make sure the bend is small (1/4") or so. You can now fish the wire into the mast and catch the geared nubs of the broken ribbon and pull it out. This saves you from having to remove the wheel and fender well, and antenna motor. Took only about 5 minutes to fish it out once we had the wire fashioned. Saved me a bunch of work and lots of time. The kit from Ecklers looks and works like the original. Hope this helps someone, since the only posts I saw for a broken antenna ribbon involved removing the motor!
http://www.ecklers.com/corvette-powe...1988-1992.html
When I removed the original antenna, the ribbon was broken and a piece of it was still in the mast about 8 inches down. My son had the idea of taking a wire sprinkler flag (like you get at HD or Lowes) flattening the end of it and making a 90 degree bend in the flattened end. Make sure the bend is small (1/4") or so. You can now fish the wire into the mast and catch the geared nubs of the broken ribbon and pull it out. This saves you from having to remove the wheel and fender well, and antenna motor. Took only about 5 minutes to fish it out once we had the wire fashioned. Saved me a bunch of work and lots of time. The kit from Ecklers looks and works like the original. Hope this helps someone, since the only posts I saw for a broken antenna ribbon involved removing the motor!
06-23-2010, 12:33 PM
#3
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
That IS a good tip. Nice one! 
06-24-2010, 01:04 AM
#5
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Member Since: Apr 2006
Location: Conway AR
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I've seen all these posts about how easy it is to change the antenna ribbon. well, the car I have (94 LT1) there ain't no way in hell to get the antenna and ribbon OUT of the tube. Yeah, I've got the replacement kit, and have read the directions from Numerous sources, the bottom line is "how do you break the lining-the one with the lip on the bottom of the fitting inside the housing"?
bill
bill
