Only10Why

So i have a 1994 Lexus SC300 where the mast wont go all the way up and down. I got a new mast and tried to take the old one out by unscrewing it and then feeding it out but it just stopped and didn't come out. I thought there might have been some corrosion under the rubber bit so i took that out and then tried it but no such luck. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and has any tips. Should i try pulling the antenna motor out to see if i can force it out or do i need to replace a whole working motor cause its stuck. I also have a theory that someone may have tried to do this before and drained to much of the oil since from the factory it came with a lot.

t2d2

iTrader: (8)

There's no oil to drain. They're just caked up with that white-yellow grease.

If the old mast won't come out, the plastic cable may not be broken off and is catching on the gear. As far as I know, you need to take the housing apart to wind the new mast's cable, so there's no point avoiding that messy, annoying step with getting the old one out.

Duck05

I replaced the mast several years ago and removing the unit and taking it apart is required ...... Similar experience on an older Toyota sedan was “practice”.

No really getting around the job to get it right. Explains a lot of why other owners do an antenna “delete” especially if they replaced the head unit with a modern, blue tooth capable, model and use only streaming apps off the mobile phone.

Takes some patience but worth it.

t2d2

iTrader: (8)

It wasn't in my case... The new cable broke after maybe two uses. (Leads me to believe that broken cables are sometimes the effect, not the cause.) I ditched the setup and went fixed mast after that.

Ali SC3

iTrader: (10)

In every toyota I own that has the mast, I disconnect the connector and leave it in place. It will still pick up radio just fine in the closed position.
I do that because they always break at some point, and its not worth the time to replace them cause you can also scratch the paint in the process if you are not careful.
Especially if when I buy the car it is still working, unplugging it right away will keep it from breaking and then you won't feel the need to mess with it.

t2d2

iTrader: (8)

^ The one thing I would add is that your success may vary...greatly. I live 50+ miles from the broadcast source of any stations. Antenna down and mast unplugged results in reception that wouldn't exactly make an alarm clock radio proud. I switched to a 7" stubby antenna and that was significantly better. But, my head unit has HD radio and it was annoyingly popping in and out of high def quite regularly with the still-weak reception, so I replaced it recently with a 24" (?) whip and it's sooo much better than before. It stays in HD most of the time now. It doesn't look as good, but dem's the breaks.

Ali SC3

iTrader: (10)

If I remember right I thought you could unplug the motor that makes it go up and down while it is still plugged in antenna wise.
I didn't have any big issues with the reception in different cities, but yeah if you start to get further away I could see that as being an issue.

oldManTan

delete the mast, plug the hole, and get a roof fin antenna.