I wanted to run through a quick car wash today but don't want the antenna all Bent out of shape! I thought it would be a 5/16 wrench at the base but it wasn't budging and I didn't want to break anything! Any help is appreciated
May have rust frozen and force will just break the stud mount under the antenna. Try PB blaster etc apply every day for a week + to work in the threads. Can take a week + because most runs off so don't spay a lot each time.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
10mm wrench. Best to use a boxed end. When I go through an automatic car wash, they usually remove the antenna then reinstall it.
That's odd. I have been using a 5/16" open end for years, because there are only 2 flat surfaces on the round antenna base. A boxed end wrench would not fit. Maybe there is more than one stock aerial.
May have rust frozen and force will just break the stud mount under the antenna. Try PB blaster etc apply every day for a week + to work in the threads. Can take a week + because most runs off so don't spay a lot each time.
x 2. I broke one trying to remove an antenna but they usually come off easy. It didn't require that much force which was surprising. Now I've got to get the wheel well liner removed to gain access to the antenna. Next time I'll put the antenna in the wheel well where it cant be seen. That would eliminate any necessary removal.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
x 2. I broke one trying to remove an antenna but they usually come off easy. It didn't require that much force which was surprising. Now I've got to get the wheel well liner removed to gain access to the antenna. Next time I'll put the antenna in the wheel well where it cant be seen. That would eliminate any necessary removal.
Hidden antennas work well in urban areas, but really reduce signal strength for those of us that are sane enough to live in rural areas.
I wanted to run through a quick car wash today but don't want the antenna all Bent out of shape!
If its that kind of car wash, I might worry about the driprails too, along the edge of the roof. They kind of just snap in... One of our clubmenbers went through an automatic car wash and the mechanism snagged the driprail one one side and pulled it out, twisting it like a pretzel!
I've never used one with any of my Fieros. I remember hearing that they had so many problems with damage that back in the day car washes posted signs banning Fieros from using them.
I remember hearing that they had so many problems with damage that back in the day car washes posted signs banning Fieros from using them.
I think that was mostly due to the car stalling and stopping the wash line. Any high-pressure water in the rear grilles is trouble. (although I bet a few spinning brushes ate up a spoiler or 2.... )
[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 02-06-2019).]
If it is a touchless automatic wash, i would not bother at all. I have never removed mine and never had a problem.
If it is a roller type wash... i would not put my car through it to begin with... best way to ruin decent paint. Nothing like using a wash mitt that has been used on hundreds of other dirty vehicles. Then again I am a bit over zealous, I only hand wash any of my vehicles at most 2 times a year. Every week they get a pressure washing at home or the touchless wash.
Hidden antennas work well in urban areas, but really reduce signal strength for those of us that are sane enough to live in rural areas.
That statement would seem to make perfect sense but I'm just going by what Dave Horst (Skitime) told me. When he located his antenna from the top of the fender to the well he said the radio reception was as good as before. Dave didn't live in the city but in a small town. The reception may have been strong because the antenna was surrounded by mostly plastic not metal. This opinion was Dave's not mine so I have no proof to offer the claim that it works until I try it.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 02-06-2019).]
Hidden antenna is easier moving the base to mount the OE antenna somewhere else.
Take off antenna. Snake a wire from door end of fender and use a nut on stud to attach. Use brake or silicon grease to stop "rust." Run wire in the gutter or under windshield trim. Any thin insulated wire will work. Think I use scrap phone wire.
Wire doesn't need to be a given length because am and fm is too wide range of frequencies to really tune it. So run up the whole A pillar should work. Under the windshield trim can have longer up A and over the windshield.
Been running this for 15+ years to stop morons bending/breaking them. In the gutter might see < 1" at bottom and may expose the wire to UV that "eat" many pastics. Ws Trim can totaling hide the wire. Insulation most keep the wire from "rusting."
That's odd. I have been using a 5/16" open end for years, because there are only 2 flat surfaces on the round antenna base. A boxed end wrench would not fit. Maybe there is more than one stock aerial.
You're most likely right. I have stainless steel antennas on my cars that I got from the pullapart yard. They are hex 10mm. I once bought about a dozen stainless, garnered from any vehicle that had a stainless mast. Had to throw them out because the screw post was a different size. So much for trying to make a buck.
I just went out and looked at the black antennas I have in the cabinet. Some of them have just 2 flats, and some of them are hex. I do know that all of them fit on the Fiero because I checked and kept only those that fit. The hex base antennas may have come from a non-Fiero. I don't remember where each came from.
Yes, I would also be worried about breaking the mounting stud.
BITD when we use to go through those car washes, never had an issue with it bending or breaking the antenna - now days it is hand washed only (plus the antenna is hardly ever mounted anymore - sits inside the car behind the passenger seat). Radio works fine around town and a bit outside, longer trips we would just use bluetooth or CD's anyways, never use the radio on the long drives.
Haven't had one bent in a car wash, but have had bent antennas twice now. Not exactly hard to bend them back where they belong. Due to their flexible nature, they seem to bend at the base. Even if it isn't bent back with pure precision, it's gotta be awfully hard to tell they were ever bent in the first place.
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