[MR2] MR2 MkII Classic Antenna Motor Problem--Solved!

[Aaron Willis]

Colin, thanks for the report, and of course for the business!  Sometimes
aftermarket parts or virtually (or totally) identical to OEM, and
sometimes they're just...not.  I am relieved to hear that the mast and
cable assembly is all that was required and that it went together
without drama!

 

Aaron Willis, Parts Dept. - Lithia Toyota Scion of Springfield, OR

541.736.3221 (direct) - 800.888.6305 (toll free) - 541.747.4174 (fax)

Official vendor: www.mr2oc.com and www.mr2.com

 

From: [mailto:alkirab at earthlink.net] 
Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2009 8:40 PM
To: mr2 at mr2.com
Cc: Aaron Willis
Subject: MR2 MkII Classic Antenna Motor Problem--Solved! 

 

Re: MR2 MkII Classic Antenna Motor Problems --Solved!

 

A big thanks to all those digest members who contacted me both on and
off the list regarding corrective action suggestions related to electric
antenna mast replacement problems on my 1993 MkII.

 

Specific suggestions from Steve B., Aaron W., Ralph H., Dennis McF., all
had merit.  In particular Aaron W. from Lithia Toyota came through with
outstanding and speed-of-light parts support, getting repair parts that
were unavailable to me locally, to my residence in 2.5 days!!!

The problem occurred with the aftermarket mast and cable gear purchased
from eBay and advertised as compliant with the MR2 MkII NA & Turbo
spoiler.  After two complete R and R's, including total dismantling the
antenna gear box and verifying worm gear-to-motor shaft was tight; the
new Toyota rod ordered from Lithia Toyota arrived.  Side by side the
Toyota toothed drive cable was both 6 inches shorter, and both the tooth
height and distance between teeth was different than the aftermarket
drive cable!!  This in part explains the inability of the antenna tip to
fully seat, as well as the horrendous grinding and run-on that the
module demonstrated. 

 

I did learn a trick that prevented the P/S side wings' retaining tip
from tearing out of the wing:   By first removing the two 10mm nuts from
the underside of the side wing (inside the trunk, gently tapping the
wing with your hand to free it up from the rubber gasket, and then
introducing two very thin, (masking tape covered) 1-inch putty knives
into the side of the gap formed by the
slightly-lifted-wing-assembly...you can tease the retaining tip out of
the press-in retainer located in the PS fender...without any tear-out
damage to the wing or witness mark scratches to the exposed fender!  

 

Again, a big thanks to the Digest contributors mentioned above, and in
particular my appreciation goes to Aaron W. at Lithia Toyota in Oregon
for providing both outstanding service and a much-appreciated MR2
Owners' Club discount.   

 

Keeping it Stock...makes it rock

 

Colin

 

1993 MkII NA

Steel Mist Gray w/48,000 original

S. Cal

(& once again...ALL Toyota Parts!)