My antenna stops retracting on last the segment. I've cleaned and lubed it but it still stops early. Sometimes I can get it to go all the way down but most of the time it stops early.
Any suggestions???
Thanks!

 

Maybe something is snagging that causes the motor to stop while it's on its way down. If you take the mast out is it easy to slide in and out by hand? A slightly kinked section could cause it to bind up occasionally and stick on the way down I suppose. Taking the mast out will also completely unwind that toothed string the motor uses to extend/retract the mast, so you can reinstall it in case it's gotten unsettled somehow.

If the mast itself is binding up, they are cheap, I think in the $15 or less range. Motors can be a bit more..

 

It does slide up and down very smoothly so I'll try taking the mast out. I've never done this before so I'll look it up online.
Thanks for the suggestions!
JZ

 

It's pretty simple. Take the nut at the top off completely, turn the radio on so that the mast extends fully, then it should come out pretty easily. Install is the reverse, just make sure teeth are pointing the right direction.

 

It sounds like the broken nylon toothed drive cable still has the broken section (end) wrapped around the internal spool section.

You need to disassemble the antenna motor halves CAREFULLY and remove the broken bit.

bob

 

Replacement aerials are also available if you require one, but I think you could probably also pinch one out of a universal unit too.

I took mine apart to apply fresh grease to the guide, as Bob says be careful. Mine operates silently now with the fresh grease. It also helps to keep the aerial polished to aid movement.