Hi guys,
My MK1 electric Antenna is bent and it wont go fully down. I bough a new mast from MX5Parts but I am not being able to remove the old one. I followed the instructions given on that youtube video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvqJRR7iBLE ) and I cant get it out. I removed the nut and the rubber bit but when I turn the radio on it comes out but not fully out. Even if I pull it with some mild force it doesn’t come out.
I don’t know if the metallic sleeve is bend and that is why it doesn’t come out, but I’m running out of ideas. The chain still works because it does fully extends. It just doesn’t go all the way down ( the last 2.5in).
What should I do?
I did mine a couple of years ago, mine came out ok but was a pain putting the replacement in.
In the end I took the black cover off the unit and engaged it that way.
This one is a little tricky.
The mast runs through a part called known as a lollipop - you can see the plastic part that sits on top of the metal housing but there is also a metal sleeve inside the metal housing that is designed to stop the mast coming out of the body. This often sticks in place.
Try some wd40 or similar applied where the aerial enters the body and then a little force - it may move. If this doesn’t work you may have to cut the bent mast below the damage and then remove the undamaged remainder from the bottom as Banned biker describes.
You need to separate the body of the aerial and remove the circular cover inside to remove the old worm. The antenna needs a bit of brute force to pull it out of the body. I found it easier to re-assemble by winding the new worm manually and fitting the antenna in the closed position (not in the extended state as per the instructions). Just make sure the aerial is in the down position when you remove it. It can then be done on your own without someone turning the radio on and off. Remember to add some clean grease when you re-assemble. Good luck.