| Author |
Message |
    
petern12
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 07, 2002 - 04:32 pm: | 
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What's the easiest way to access the broken one and replace? I see slots between door's edge and fender, but obviously too small. perhaps removing the outer portion inside the wheel well? Looks like it's secured by plastic rivets. Thanks. |
gp (Garrett)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 07, 2002 - 09:25 pm: |
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you said it. inner plastic fender well. if you are replacing the power antenna i would suggest replacing it with a whip style. just another thing to break and have to do all over again. |
petern12
| | Posted on Thursday, August 08, 2002 - 12:16 pm: |
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Thanks Garrett, a $10 generic whip is exactly what I have in mind, as a $2 machine wash is the best my rig ever get... |
p m
| | Posted on Thursday, August 08, 2002 - 12:24 pm: |
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ok, the thing about a $10 whip.
the auto parts stores have replacement whip antennas for most vehicles - of course not for a rover. the subtle difference is that the hole in the fender for the antenna is much smaller in the disco than it is for most others, and therefore you either have to punch a larger hole, or cook something up.
if you buy GM-generic whip, you can use parts from the existing antenna (including the under-fender part, a slanted aluminum spacer, the rubber washer, slanted plastic cone, and the nut) with the stuff that came with the generic whip. it will take some minor mechanical mods on these parts, but it can be done.
the simplest solution (that i ended up with after an hour of cussing not having a drill press and set of taps in my garage) is to buy just a whip, shear off the mounting nut piece, and just stick it into the hole left by the broken-off telescopic crap. A few wraps of electrical tape (or shrink tubing) will help to keep it from flopping around in the larger hole.
also, keep in mind that ALL "generic" antenna kits sold at auto parts stores are of amazingly low quality. an antenna from a junkyard may be better.
peter |
petern12
| | Posted on Thursday, August 08, 2002 - 02:02 pm: |
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Thanks for the good tips Peter. I too contemplated the "Mickey Mouse" route should the replacement becomes too labor intensive. In my case, I was surprised by the crystal clear reception I got across the board simply by shoving a 5" phillips down and making connection with the broken mast, which is sitting about half an inch below the nut. Thanks also for the shrink-tubing idea, which is much easier/cleaner than the soldering I had in mind... |
p m
| | Posted on Thursday, August 08, 2002 - 02:04 pm: |
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just don't shrink-tube the whole whip, let it contact the old sleeve at the bottom.
peter |
gp (Garrett)
| | Posted on Thursday, August 08, 2002 - 03:55 pm: |
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i believe rover connection sells the genuine rover whip style that was on the '94-'95 discos. that way there is no guess work and they are still relatively inexpensive. |
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