Can't remove antenna - need help/suggestions
08-27-2009, 03:04 PM
#12
6th Gear Member
If it's already galled up, then a pair of visegrips had better be able to get it off. When I installed my shorty, all it took was a pair of taped plier jaws and a rag and a small amount of pressure.
08-27-2009, 03:16 PM
#13
S197 Section Modder-ator
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Orlando FL
Posts: 13,373
Limers know. 
Since it's all buggered up now, a wise grip might be needed.
For further reference, when dealing with an undamaged antenna: Use a 10mm boxed in wrench and put some tape around that base nut so your paint doesn't flake off.
You prolly have the only car on these forums that required a tool to take that antenna off.
On most Fords with fixed antennas, it's only finger tight...
Since it's all buggered up now, a wise grip might be needed.
For further reference, when dealing with an undamaged antenna: Use a 10mm boxed in wrench and put some tape around that base nut so your paint doesn't flake off.
You prolly have the only car on these forums that required a tool to take that antenna off.
On most Fords with fixed antennas, it's only finger tight...
08-28-2009, 07:31 AM
#17
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 66
I’m not allowed to hand wash my car outside my condo. It’s a rule of the housing association. : (
We only have a few car washes in Northern VA. Most of them you drive up, tell them which package you want (super, deluxe, premium, etc.), they take your car from you and after vacuuming, drive your car through the machine and when it comes out they hand dry it for you. Usually there’s a guy there to take the antenna off and they just hand it to me or put it in the car. It hasn’t been a prob until that one incident and it won’t be a prob from now on. I found a self service car wash where you pump quarters into the machine.
We only have a few car washes in Northern VA. Most of them you drive up, tell them which package you want (super, deluxe, premium, etc.), they take your car from you and after vacuuming, drive your car through the machine and when it comes out they hand dry it for you. Usually there’s a guy there to take the antenna off and they just hand it to me or put it in the car. It hasn’t been a prob until that one incident and it won’t be a prob from now on. I found a self service car wash where you pump quarters into the machine.
08-28-2009, 07:59 AM
#18
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Maryland
Posts: 649
First off, hope you got the antenna situation fixed.
Second off, I understand you aren't able to wash your car at your condo complex, BUT you shouldn't be taking it to a carwash where the damn hulligans are taking off your antenna!! That usually means you are using one of those automatic ones!!!! For Gawd sake I hope it's a TOUCHLESS car wash!! If it ain't, I feel bad for your black paint...........................WHOLLY SWIRL MARKS!!! Just trying to look out for you brother!!
And, don't be letting others dry your car, or EVEN wash it!! Go to that self serve car wash if you must and DO NOT use the brush!!! More swirl marks!! Again, just looking out for you my friend..........
Second off, I understand you aren't able to wash your car at your condo complex, BUT you shouldn't be taking it to a carwash where the damn hulligans are taking off your antenna!! That usually means you are using one of those automatic ones!!!! For Gawd sake I hope it's a TOUCHLESS car wash!! If it ain't, I feel bad for your black paint...........................WHOLLY SWIRL MARKS!!! Just trying to look out for you brother!!
And, don't be letting others dry your car, or EVEN wash it!! Go to that self serve car wash if you must and DO NOT use the brush!!! More swirl marks!! Again, just looking out for you my friend..........
Last edited by Croft; 08-28-2009 at 08:01 AM.
08-30-2009, 09:56 PM
#19
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 66
This weekend I took your suggestion and filed down two sides of the antenna and took an adjustable wrench to it. The antenna was stubborn and didn’t want to lose so after some slight turning the antenna broke in half at the threads. After visiting my local Ford dealer, I was able to purchase a new antenna base for $17. Not bad. The only issue was the antenna is threaded through the fender and disconnects behind the glove box. Using my head, I took a nylon rope and wrapped electrical tape around the old antenna and pulled it through the fender and reversed order to pull the new one back through. I had the new antenna base installed within 10 minutes. Problem solved. Thanks for the suggestion. You the man. = )
