cyberglk350

Is it possible to buy just the rubber piece that is cracking in my picture? The rubber looks like a separate piece.

If not, is it difficult to remove the antenna and replace the whole thing?

xexpo

Looks like it is 2 pieces. The cracked rubber seems to be what's called the "adhesive foil" (part number A2208170021 $8.62) which attaches to the bottom of the antenna itself (part number A2208201375 $319.70).

I would order the the adhesive foil to see if that is the part that is part of the cracked rubber to start with. If you find that you need the antenna, you would need this part anyway to attach the antenna body to the car.

Removal and the installation of the antenna will require to remove the paneling inside the car which will make it a somewhat detailed DIY, but if you have the patience and good with your hands along with good instructions, you should be able to accomplish this.

My source was a EPC and the parts are not very detailed there.

cyberglk350

Hey thanks! I will check into this foil piece like you recommend.

Thanks for the part numbers too. That will save me a some time.

xexpo

Omit "A" from the part number if you're searching. My source for the price was parts.com

Good luck and please post back to let us know the outcome.

mcsmcs1

I have this exact problem. Can you tell me the solution? It seems like the rubber part is attached to the whole antenna and cannot be separately ordered.

cyberglk350

I spent quite a bit of time trying to find just the rubber and was not successful. We must buy the entire GPS antenna. Which is STUPID. Who's idea was it to use that crappy rubber anyway? I don't think it serves much purpose anyhow. It appears to only cover the area. In NO WAY does it totally seal it off. I think it is cosmetic.

I went ahead and just careful removed the rest of the rubber that was there. It does look quite a bit better. When its removed, at least you can't tell it is dry rotted. I'll wait until the GPS no longer works before I drop $400 on a stupid antenna for a GPS system I rarely use.

I would go ahead and carefully pull off the remainder of the rotted rubber. It will look ALOT better. It does too me.

Even if you get a new antenna, the next problem is how to replace the whole antenna assembly. We'd have to remove all that rear window trim. Probably have to buy that new as well because the second we try and take it off it will be destroyed.

mcsmcs1

Thanks, that's what I was afraid of- a $600 plus repair to fix a 2 dollar piece of rubber. Without the rubber trim around the antenna, there isn't a potential water intrusion issue? I did see that in the parts diagram it looks like there is a second seal where the actual leads go into the the body of the car.

tusabes

I recommend you just leave yours alone.

My entire black plastic antenna cover broke off, and the bare metal antenna and electronics have been exposed for over 2 years with no ill effects

Serndipity

My neighbor just replaced his GPS antenna cover with this one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-GPS-Dummy-Antenna-W220-W215-W210-W124-W204-W163-W164-Shark-Fin-S500-AMG/160838822405?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D8819893928758537535%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D121121826729%26
It's the same as the MB OEM cover but the the underside was filled in with about 1/4" of plastic material. After grinding out the added material, the vertical fin was hollow.

Easy and cheap solution.

Reserve Bum

on ebay, i only see the ones that are not hollow...so unless I drill it out, it wont work. There is a "used car parts" outfit selling just the covers for $299.48. The search continues

compaddict

iTrader: (1)

I bought the hollow type on eBay last year and it worked.

amstel78

I bought a hollow one on eBay as well a few months back. Had to dremel it to fit, then used clear RTV silicone adhesive to secure it to the antenna assembly on the glass. It's still there and it looks pretty good.

Here are some pics getting it fitted:


And apologies for the sideways photo here, but I used a laser plumb line to ensure it was fully centered before gluing down.

sakodik

DAMN laser guided.

I did the same and got one off ebay for 30. Didn't know how to install correctly so I dremel the inside, put a little gasket cover for the adhesive and applied weight and pressure. Smarter thing that others on here did was to tape it down overnight after the initial press.

amstel78

I taped mind down too overnight although I don't have a photo to show. I do like your gasket idea though. I should have done similar because there's still a tiny gap between the base and the surface of the glass. I'll probably just use some black caulk to fully seal it.

TTEChris

I purchased the same off Ebay. Hollowed it out and used silicone to hold it in place. I taped it to the windshield overnight, and it's been holding up great for the month I've had it.