w124 antenna mast replacement
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 24
Likes: 2
From: Washington, D.C
1988 300E, 1993 400SEL, 2000 BMW M Roadster; 2001 Toyota 4Runner
w124 antenna mast replacement
broke my antenna mast at the car wash and am unable to install replacement mast. Motor for antenna seems to work (you can hear it) but when I thread the tail with the teeth down, it does not grab it. I've tried rotating it various ways to no avail. I am hoping to avoid getting into the motor itself. Can anyone share experience and/or solution?
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 41
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From: Los Angeles
1989 300CE, 1994 E320 Coupe
Do you have the old tail completely removed? I’m assuming that you’re turning the radio on, and heard the antenna motor whirring cleanly until it stops. And, then threading the tail of the new antenna into it until it stops and seems to catch. The plastic tail on the antenna gets brittle, and I’ve had to take the motor apart on a few of them to make sure those pieces are gone.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 24
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From: Washington, D.C
1988 300E, 1993 400SEL, 2000 BMW M Roadster; 2001 Toyota 4Runner
Thanks, Mylesph1. I am reasonably sure the entire tail came out when I removed it, but it did occur to me that perhaps an older, brittle part of it may have remained down there and is preventing the new tail from grabbing the gear. I can put it down pretty far but it doesn't seem to grab on to anything as I make the antenna motor retract, no matter how I rotate the tail. I guess I'll just have to get into the motor. How much of the trunk trim do you have to remove to access the motor? My car has a non-carpeted trim with several small doors in several places (none of which are helpful to reach the motor). Do you know if you can remove just the side trim covering the motor, or do you have to disassemble the rear, for instance? Thanks.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 41
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From: Los Angeles
1989 300CE, 1994 E320 Coupe
I’ve done this on a couple 124’s, one ‘89 and one ‘94, both just required pulling the side trunk carpeting away to get access to the antenna motor. Not even clipped, if I remember correctly. I’ve had to pull the antenna motor apart to truly clear the motor of any old tail pieces, but if you’re not feelling the teeth catch on anything and you can feed the tail down pretty far, it sounds more like the teeth are facing the wrong way.
Replacing the mast is one of those small things that can be frustrating since it should be relatively simple!
Replacing the mast is one of those small things that can be frustrating since it should be relatively simple!
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,028
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From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
The plastic tab that forms parts of the clutch on the plastic drive gears may have broken. When that happens, the motor turns but the big gear that engages the nylon mast doesn't turn. The good news is that if it is broken, new gears are available on ebay (search for Hirschmann antenna gear set).
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 24
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From: Washington, D.C
1988 300E, 1993 400SEL, 2000 BMW M Roadster; 2001 Toyota 4Runner
Thanks again Floobydust. In addition to my electrical gremlins, I am tackling this issue as well. Rain is delaying any action for now, but I will get into the antenna motor and will post my findings.
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Joined: May 2019
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From: Bremerton, WA
1991 300E, 1961 Type I, 2004 Mustang, 2014 Optima Turbo, 2007 Santa Fe
I had to replace mine Friday and the motor still had some of the old plastic guide in it.
I had to take motor out and apart to get the rest out.
I didn't even watch a video and it took all of about 30 minutes to do everything.
I had to take motor out and apart to get the rest out.
I didn't even watch a video and it took all of about 30 minutes to do everything.
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