[MR2] MR2 MkII Classic Antenna Motor Problems

[Steve Bagdon]

I've done at least one antenna mast replacement, with wing. And I
believe I've also done a without-wing replacement (crappy wing removal
attempt by the po). I thought the wing-vs-no/wing was a widely known
thing. Personally, I'd just buy the replacement oem mast for the correct
model, and call it a day. When I replaced mine with an oem with-wing
mast, it was working perfectly when I sold the car, so it was like-new
to me. The price between the mast-only and the full-antenna is massive,
and I've never had an antenna fail on me (just the mast).

If it's out of stock in NA, I'd find someone who can expedite an
air-delivery from Japan/overseas. Wouldn't that drop delivery from 3
weeks to about a week?

Steve B.
MR2-less

-----Original Message-----
From: mr2-bounces at mr2.com [mailto:mr2-bounces at mr2.com] On Behalf Of
alkirab at earthlink.net
Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2009 2:47 AM
To: mr2 at mr2.com
Subject: [MR2] MR2 MkII Classic Antenna Motor Problems

01-03-09

After 16 years and 48,000 miles, my 1993 MkII N/A's electric antenna
system just failed.
No complaints... just a little frustration with the repair process.  
I tried obtaining a Toyota OEM replacement antenna mast with the cable
gear at two local S. Calif Toyota Dealers, but it turned out to be a
special order with wait time in the neighborhood of 3 weeks.  
It turns out that there are two types of antenna masts for the 1992-1995
models...one type for the Turbo and NA MkII that is equipped with the
factory rear wing; and another shorter antenna mast that just simply
passes through the fender only and is used on the non- rear wing model.


I've only seen the non-wing model twice in the past 16 years, so this
was a surprise to me.  The BGB doesn't show antenna differences.

I saw a replacement antenna mast  kit advertised on eBay (currently
still is offered), and this is advertised to fit the 1991-95 Turbo
MR2...and gave it a try.  Waste of money!   It looks correct, but comes
only in the shorter-sleeved, non-turbo version, which lacks the 3 inch
black riser tube that needs to extend through the PS  fender and exit
through the PS rear fender wing spoiler grommet.

First I opened up the antenna motor drum, removed the broken cable gear
piece, re-packed the drum with white lithium-based grease, swapped the
OEM 3 inch antenna masts riser tube onto the new mast, and tossed aside
the shorter 1/2 inch riser tube.  
All looked good when I fed the new cable gear into the antenna spool
opening.    After installation and several cylces of on-off from the
radio, the retracted mast remained up one and half inches when fully
off.   Now, 3 days later, the mast finally fully-seats on retract...but
now has started loudly grinding and clicking when trying to fully
extend...then it just times out after 5-6 seconds... with mast not-fully
extended.

At this point I'm not sure if a Toyota OEM Turbo replacement repair mast
will properly solve this;, or if its time to buy a complete Toyota
antenna module with pre-installed mast, and just simply drop it in???

I did contact Aaron at Lithia for info on both an OEM turbo mast kit and
also the full antenna motor/module/mast replacement, and their
availability...Aanybody have a similar experience or have any
recommendations?  The internal motor drive gears all looked good with
all teeth intact and little wear when I opened up the antenna drum and
repacked it...but again the unit is 16 years old!   
Anybody know if there is an antenna rebuilding outfit or an exchange
outfit...and yes it has to be a Toyota part!  The aftermarket antenna
kits I've seen don't take the finder-to-wing spacing into account.

Thanks,  Colin

1993 MkII NA
Steel Mist Gray w/48,000 original
S. Cal
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