Hi, I’m a new OC member and proud new owner of a fantastic BRG W-reg mk2!
Unfortunately the aerial mast was broken when I bought it, but i did a little research beforehand (including this OC forum post http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/25507.aspx ) and it sounded easy and cheap enough to replace. I looked at a few places and it seemed that the mast was universal for these models, so I assumed I couldn’t go wrong. I bought a new mast off a company called Autolink, but having tried to fit it I find it is very slightly too big a diameter and won’t therefore fit into the mechanism. I still have the old broken mast (but not the nylon insert which pulls it up and down- that was the broken part) and it looks almost identical to the new one but is just a little smaller. I also have the very important metal “collar” which stops the mast from flying out the top but this doesn’t fit around the new mast.
Have I just bought the wrong size aerial (it says “genuine Mzada part” on it for what that’s worth!) and if so where best to get the correct one, or is their another explanation?
One thing I did notice is that the self-fitting guide I read said that the outer part of the fitting which sits on the bodywork, requires needlenose pliers to fit into two small holes in order to undo it (as demonstrated by the fine-moustached chap in the youtube video linked in the earlier discussion I mentioned above. Tash is worth a look even if your aerial’s fine!). However mine has no such holes and undoes with a regular spanner. So maybe mine in a more unusual mechanism?
Help - I don’t want to have to replace the whole mechanism.
I had the complete opposite problem recently with Old Man EunossMk1 Eunos V-spec. The genuine Mazda replacement mast was way too small diameter for the existing top of the electric antenna mechanism. My dad now has the tallest electric antenna on an MX5 ever as I had to take his old mast apart andadd the bottom section of his old one to the base of the new one and adjust the travel-limit mechanism so he now has a stereo ariel that goes up to 11 and about 66" from the ground 
It could be that you can (bit of a fiddle) remove the bottom section from your new mast as you will find that the second section is probably the right diameter for the hole - or simply return and try and obtain the correct mast to fit your car.
I suspect that different marques of MX5/ Eunii have different diameter antennae fitted from new, shame I would have offered to swap with you if you were here a week ago.
What year/model MX5/ Eunos do you have and from where in the world do you hail? - might be a good idea to add these details to your signature so that we may be better able to help you in the future?
Regards Dr. Eunos
Thanks Dr Eunos. Does your old man attach a comedy flag to the top of his new super-aerial so you can spot him easily when he gets lost at MX5 conventions?
I’ve sent the mast back and ordered another one off MX5Parts.co.uk in the vague hope it might be different. If not I might try to dismantle it. How tricky is it taking the mast apart? Presumably you have to detach and re-attach the nylon cord? And what does adjusting the travel-limit mechanisn involve? I don’t want to start digging myself into a bigger (more expensive) hole!
Signature details updated now.
The electric aerials for the Mk 1 and Mk 2 are different.
Did you inadvertently order a Mk 1 replacement ?
It said Mk2 on the advert when I ordered it, although it didn’t specify on the actual product when I got it. Hopefully the new one from mx5parts will be different.
Sounds like you have a Mk 1 mast when you should have the Mk 2 one,phone Andrew at autolink and tell him he will sort it out,but they are not universal??and they should come with fitting instructions,an extra pair of hands will be needed.
Once all the old stuff is removed from inside the motor(the nylon cord if it as broken into bits)(and put some more grease in while its apart)and it as been fed back in, the chrome top nut on the outside also acts as a stopper so there is no need to do any adjusting.
M-m