My power antenna died. Anyone got a good one? '96 Roady Wagon.

My power antenna died. Anyone got a good one? '96 Roady Wagon. Little help?

Mike-

In another post you said that the motor still runs but the antenna is not working.  There are some great fix-it steps here:
https://gmlongroof.4umer.com/t11027-antenna-repair?highlight=Repair+antenna

Thanks!

So just an update here, I got an antenna mast kit for a 80's GM car (G-body Cutlass) from a friend. New in box. It's the mast and plastic cable. He just GAVE it to me. Before I rip into the fender, does anyone know if this will work with the Roadmaster's motor assembly? My motor still runs.

Also got a brand-new aftermarket power antenna, but I don't care for the way it mounts...it sticks up more than stock, so I'm not using that.

Thanks in advance on any advice!



-Mike

The 80s antenna will not work with the RM.

I found a good mast at the junk yard the other day, I have been able to assemble a good antenna with some other parts I have. I would like $95 and your old antenna, if the mast is not broken.

Fred thanks for the info on the antenna mast that I have, and the offer.  

Happily I found one locally.   Wrench-A-Part here in Austin got in a '96 Caprice Classic, and amazingly it had a power antenna.   A local car-buddy spotted it. $12, hard to beat!   Ran power to it and it jumps right up!   Win!  





One question though, do you lube yours, or just clean the mast really well when it's up?   I'd been told in the past not to lube them, as it collects dust if you do and can jam up.   That said, I'd kept my old antenna spotless and it still broke, so would like to hear opinions.

Now to put this in my Roady!

-Mike

With as scarce as these are,has anyone tried to convert to the thread on style antenna?

Andebe wrote:

With as scarce as these are,has anyone tried to convert to the thread on style antenna?

Some came with permanent antennas that threaded on, but the base is even worse than the electrical ones. They are cheap cast metal with chrome plating, and usually break off at the bottom of the threads. I have one good base, and it is the only one I ever found that was salvageable.

81X11 wrote:

Fred thanks for the info on the antenna mast that I have, and the offer.  

Happily I found one locally.   Wrench-A-Part here in Austin got in a '96 Caprice Classic, and amazingly it had a power antenna.   A local car-buddy spotted it.  $12, hard to beat!   Ran power to it and it jumps right up!   Win!  

One question though, do you lube yours, or just clean the mast really well when it's up?   I'd been told in the past not to lube them, as it collects dust if you do and can jam up.   That said, I'd kept my old antenna spotless and it still broke, so would like to hear opinions.

Now to put this in my Roady!

-Mike

Do not lube it, just clean it. The lube collects crap and gums it up. The mast is stainless steel.

Getting one for $12 is like finding a gold nugget. The cable kit alone is $38 shipped, if you want to fix the cable. The new masts are made of unobtanium.

Fred Kiehl wrote:

81X11 wrote:

Fred thanks for the info on the antenna mast that I have, and the offer.  

Happily I found one locally.   Wrench-A-Part here in Austin got in a '96 Caprice Classic, and amazingly it had a power antenna.   A local car-buddy spotted it.  $12, hard to beat!   Ran power to it and it jumps right up!   Win!  

One question though, do you lube yours, or just clean the mast really well when it's up?   I'd been told in the past not to lube them, as it collects dust if you do and can jam up.   That said, I'd kept my old antenna spotless and it still broke, so would like to hear opinions.

Now to put this in my Roady!

-Mike

Do not lube it, just clean it. The lube collects crap and gums it up. The mast is stainless steel.

Getting one for $12 is like finding a gold nugget. The cable kit alone is $38 shipped, if you want to fix the cable. The new masts are made of unobtanium.

Yep finding one made my day. Hope it lasts a while!!

I converted the antenna on my beater RMW to a fixed mast off a Caprice, managed to find one that didn't break off like Fred mentioned.

95BRMW wrote:

I converted the antenna on my beater RMW to a fixed mast off a Caprice, managed to find one that didn't break off like Fred mentioned.

That's most-likely a smart move, but I like the power antenna. They are few and far-between these days.

-Mike

The fixed mast antenna base is just a much of a PITA to install as the electric ones. The chance of having a car wash break it off is also about the same as an electric one.

Get an antenna that can be mounted inside the car, and delete the exterior antenna completely. The RMs and OCCs can have them mounted in the vista window area. The others may find them a little harder to position for the best reception.