Antenna erectile dysfunction . . .
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
Antenna erectile dysfunction . . .
I got in the Benz the other day and had no radio reception. I took a quick look out the window and saw the antenna failed to go up. I initially thought it was electrical in nature or that the nylon drive line on the mast had broken, but when I looked into it further, I found that a nylon stop (or post) that is part of the lost motion clutch had broken off. This caused the motor to just spin and never move the mast.
I would suspect OEM Hirschmann antenna units are $$$, so I took matters into my own hands. I machined a replacement post the same height as the nylon post from a 6-32 threaded aluminum spacer. I drilled the nylon gear for a 6-23 screw and then ground a 6-32 x 3.8 machine screw head down to where is was almost paper thin. This is because the back on the nylon gear runs right up against the antenna casing, so a protruding head would jamb the unit. There is just enough room in the gear recess for the thin screw head. I put the pacer on with blue Locktite, reassembled, and it now works perfectly again!
Just a suggestion if someone has this issue . . . .
I would suspect OEM Hirschmann antenna units are $$$, so I took matters into my own hands. I machined a replacement post the same height as the nylon post from a 6-32 threaded aluminum spacer. I drilled the nylon gear for a 6-23 screw and then ground a 6-32 x 3.8 machine screw head down to where is was almost paper thin. This is because the back on the nylon gear runs right up against the antenna casing, so a protruding head would jamb the unit. There is just enough room in the gear recess for the thin screw head. I put the pacer on with blue Locktite, reassembled, and it now works perfectly again!
Just a suggestion if someone has this issue . . . .
