Replacing antenna....????
05-29-2001 | 10:46 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska, USA
Replacing antenna....????
I have an 86 Camaro. I bought a new antenna from Radio Shack (not invisible) and am wondering how to get the original antenna off my car. Some friends and I tried removing the right front panel, but it never fully happened. ANY IDEAS?
e-mail me any help possible zimmerman@navix.net
e-mail me any help possible zimmerman@navix.net
05-29-2001 | 04:13 PM
#2
Supreme Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 6
From: Central NJ, USA
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
The right front panel... under the dash? You need to remove the plastic inner fender from the passenger front fender.
The outer lip of the plastic inner fender is held on with "plastic rivets". Use pliers to pull the center plunger "out"- but don't remove the plunger from the rivet. Then use a screwdriver to pry the rivet out.
The rest of the plastic inner fender is held on with 9/32" (8mm) hex screws. You'll need to remove the tire to get to 'em unless you're really flexible- but removing the tire will help with the antenna install.
The antenna in there isn't like the Radio Shack one. The RS one (like other aftermarket guys) just attaches to the fender. The GM guy has a brace that goes from the fender hole down to the frame. It's held on with one 10mm bolt. You'll need to remove your factory mast (or snap it off if your power one's stuck "up"), remove the antenna-base-to-fender-nut, then remove the 10mm brace bolt.
You can re-use the original pass-thru grommet for the antenna cable... it'll take some grunt work, but it'll fit. Tip- some soap rubbed on the inside the grommet will help the new antenna wire slide thru.
Tip- wrap your new antenna's base-to-fender-nut with masking tape before you use pliers on it. That'll keep it from scratching. Wrap the bottom of the mast with the masking tape, too.
Make sure that the new antenna grounds to the fender!! Once it's installed on the fender, use a multimeter to check resistance between the car's chassis and the outer silver terminal of the antenna plug. You should get 0 ohms resistance- meaning the antenna's grounded. I suppose you could use a powered test light, too.
------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!
The outer lip of the plastic inner fender is held on with "plastic rivets". Use pliers to pull the center plunger "out"- but don't remove the plunger from the rivet. Then use a screwdriver to pry the rivet out.
The rest of the plastic inner fender is held on with 9/32" (8mm) hex screws. You'll need to remove the tire to get to 'em unless you're really flexible- but removing the tire will help with the antenna install.
The antenna in there isn't like the Radio Shack one. The RS one (like other aftermarket guys) just attaches to the fender. The GM guy has a brace that goes from the fender hole down to the frame. It's held on with one 10mm bolt. You'll need to remove your factory mast (or snap it off if your power one's stuck "up"), remove the antenna-base-to-fender-nut, then remove the 10mm brace bolt.
You can re-use the original pass-thru grommet for the antenna cable... it'll take some grunt work, but it'll fit. Tip- some soap rubbed on the inside the grommet will help the new antenna wire slide thru.
Tip- wrap your new antenna's base-to-fender-nut with masking tape before you use pliers on it. That'll keep it from scratching. Wrap the bottom of the mast with the masking tape, too.
Make sure that the new antenna grounds to the fender!! Once it's installed on the fender, use a multimeter to check resistance between the car's chassis and the outer silver terminal of the antenna plug. You should get 0 ohms resistance- meaning the antenna's grounded. I suppose you could use a powered test light, too.
------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
