aerial wobbly

[elevensies]

now i have car back, iv noticed the aerial where the grommet is is very wobbly, i asked pain shop they said i need a new rubber,

the radio works, so thats ok.

iv looked on ebay, are all the grommets the same as they look the same, even though they state different part numbers?

 

[ChrisD]

I got mine from BMW parts dept. Guaranteed correct part, install was easy and price was good. TBH I’m done with overpriced junk parts from eBay.

 

[Mint]

...are all the grommets the same...

No, IIRC the facelift has a different angle to the pre facelift

According to RealOEM the part # for mine [2002, facelift] is 65218411562

 

[Duncodin]

If I'm not mistaken the grommet is one of those things that's actually cheaper from your local BMW main dealer.

You do wanna fix it soon though coz loose grommet is one of the common leak routes into the boot.

Also look inside behind the trim. The aerial is bolted to the body so shouldn't be wobbly even with a duff grommet.

 

[colb]

Yes two types of grommet facelift and original it should ot wobble top plastic bit that inserts onto the grommet may be broken, if it is you will probably destroy it getting it out to fit the new grommet. Small wire runs inside the plastic up to where the mast screws in. Used replacement aerial will cost you 80 - 100 Quid when you can find one.

 

[elevensies]

had a few mins to look this morning, and it would appear, that the actual antenna box in the boot is broken, so not taken it apart as of yet, too cold and already fed up with the weather hampering everything i need to do, so im now on the hunt for the part... great.

 

[Cooper_dan]

My aerial base is broken too. I think I'm going to just remove the original all together and fit a dab+ aerial instead. Might need a bit of trial and error and the 3D printer to get it water tight. Will make a thread as and when I get round to doing it

 

[Jimbob_OD]

That’s what I’ve done @Cooper_dan. I fitted a new grommet and ran a bolt and washer up where the factory aerial base was and screwed the aerial onto that so it looks original and have a windscreen DAB aerial (that I’m yet to fit…).

 

[elevensies]

That’s what I’ve done @Cooper_dan. I fitted a new grommet and ran a bolt and washer up where the factory aerial base was and screwed the aerial onto that so it looks original and have a windscreen DAB aerial (that I’m yet to fit…).

any pictures of it please?

 

[Jimbob_OD]

@elevensies I can happily go and take one but from the outside it looks no different to original. I’m not sure I’ll be able to take one from the inside that will allow you to see what I’ve done.

It wasn’t difficult - I just removed the old (broken) aerial unit, replaced the rubber grommet with a new one, then fed the bolt and washer up from inside the boot to screw the aerial to. I think I may have put a bit of silicone on the washer too just to prevent any water ingress.

I’m not sure of the top of my head what size bolt fitted best, I just tried a few from my box of odds and ends until I found one that held the aerial securely when tightened up.

One thing that did help with the new grommet was leaving it in a mug of boiling water for a minute or two to make it a bit more pliable.

 

[elevensies]

@elevensies I can happily go and take one but from the outside it looks no different to original. I’m not sure I’ll be able to take one from the inside that will allow you to see what I’ve done.

Thank you, i will look at your fix as an alternative to replacing with another 25year old secondhand unit that also might break while fitting.

11s

 

[elevensies]

Anyone tried to fit one of the old fashioned retractable style aerials as for the sake of £10 quid might work out

Just not sure what the white electrical cable is on the original antenna box?

 

[elevensies]

Yup it's broken and there's no way to even get the broken part out and replace with another . What a crap design this is.
Iv glued it and used some silicone stuff in the vein hope .

 

[bombur]

@spurs fan in a coupe might have a replacement

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

Yes I do, common failure and sadly as a result quite an expensive replacement

 

[colb]

There is a tiny braided wire that runs up through your broken part that breaks when the plastic end breaks, I did manage to repair mine then glue the plastic part back on using epoxy glue but it didn't last had to find a good replacement in the end. The wire on the base of the unit is a power feed to the built in amplifier, be careful you don't short it out on the body when removing/replacing the unit.