usaobrien

Hello I have a ‘97 LS400 that I recently bought. The vehicle came with the antenna broken so I bought a new one to replace it. I am trying to get the silver cap off on the outside of the vehicle but the cap won’t budge when I am turning it counterclockwise with a screwdriver or pliers. I’ve scratched the paint and it hasn’t budged an inch.

Any tips?

And also any advice for the rest of the procedure when replacing the mast would be great.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Check that the tube on the motor shaft isn't turning by opening the trunk up. May have to squirt in some penetrating lubricant.

usaobrien

The shaft for the antenna turns when opening the trunk? And why would that prevent me from getting off the cap on the exterior?

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

There is an actual special tool to undo the "nut" but i've been successful with a flathead and light taps a hammer.
you may need to use penetrating lubricant as stated, like PB Blaster, due to corrosion.

for a first gen but it may help:
http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/audio/powerantenna.html

RA40

iTrader: (6)

If that top nut is stuck then the shaft is possibly turning with it. Open the trunk so that you can observe if that is happening. If so some adjustable pliers to holding the shaft will allow the top nut to be loosened-freed.

usaobrien

Yea I PB Blastered it to no end and it has been sitting for 5-6 hours and I resprayed it every hour. It feels like it is jbwelded to the gasket material underneath as it won’t move even a little. Might cut the material underneath and replace it as i’m replacing the mast anyway. If anyone has a link to the gasket part I would appreciate it.

Ill let it sit overnight and see what happens.

nvturbo

you can use SNAP RING pliers. That's how I removed mine.

JohnAndic

I just did that recently on my 97. It was hard as heck to get the antenna nut off off there. The shaft wont spin unless its broken, if the motor assembly is still bolted in it won't be spinning. I used pliers to get mine off... chewed up the nut pretty bad, eventually it will come, its 24 years of sitting there. The tapped end the nut screws into is plastic I believe, so corrosion is not too much of an issue its just stuck and hard to get purchase on it. The lexls tutorial works perfect for the 97, however I discovered mine still didn't work right even after replacing it so good luck.

deanshark

Totally agree with this. I used a flathead screwdriver (wrapped with tape) in the notch and gave it 2 quick wacks with a hammer and it was loose, the rest by hand.