Antenna grommet problems

[timber2633]

I have chosen to start restoring my cheap Z3 recently (fun game I know). I unfortunately ran into a bit of an issue with a stupid little problem. I have spent the time picking the dry rotted pieces of my old antenna grommet out and found that the one I had purchase was the wrong part. No problem right I thought, I can return it and picked up the "correct" one. trouble is, it still didn't fit. Am I doing something wrong, is there a magic ritual I need to perform?
Here is the part number for the one ordered: 65-21-8-441-562

 

[Dominick Horrell 1]

Ive just replaced my aerial grommet and I ordered the same one as you have. When it turned up I thought it was wrong as it was more ‘slanted’ than the original one. The only way I could get it to fit over the threaded bit was to remove the aerial in the boot , insert the rubber grommet and then re install the aerial . After this it all fitted well and looks great . Al in it took about 10 minutes. Hope this helps !

 

[Lazzzydog]

I have just replaced mine. There are 2 rubber parts that create the seal. Undo the aerial retaining brackets and lower it into the boot along with the bell shaped rubber seal that it passes through. Fit the new angled seal into the wing and then lube the aerial with washing up liquid or similar (KY Jelly?). Now force the aerial back up through the seal and reseat the inner bell shaped seal. Finally refit the retaining brackets and Bobs your Uncle, Fanny’s your Aunt and Dicks your downfall.
You may have to unscrew the aerial lead and fettle a bit of slack into the wiring to let the aerial drop low enough to work but that’s all there is to it.

 

[Geoff Crispin]

I have just replaced mine. There are 2 rubber parts that create the seal. Undo the aerial retaining brackets and lower it into the boot along with the bell shaped rubber seal that it passes through. Fit the new angled seal into the wing and then lube the aerial with washing up liquid or similar (KY Jelly?). Now force the aerial back up through the seal and reseat the inner bell shaped seal. Finally refit the retaining brackets and Bobs your Uncle, Fanny’s your Aunt and Dicks your downfall.
You may have to unscrew the aerial lead and fettle a bit of slack into the wiring to let the aerial drop low enough to work but that’s all there is to it.

When I replaced my rubber grommet I lubricated it with washing up liquid unscrew the aerial rubber stick them pushed the grommet into the hole in wing over pertruding section of aerial then screwed the rubber stick back, took minutes no removing anything other than the rubber stick. Geoff

 

[Jasn]

When I did it, I just pushed the new one in (with reasonable force). I had a look at a few photos first to make sure I had it angled the right way to sit flush against the body.

 

[Lazzzydog]

When I replaced my rubber grommet I lubricated it with washing up liquid unscrew the aerial rubber stick them pushed the grommet into the hole in wing over pertruding section of aerial then screwed the rubber stick back, took minutes no removing anything other than the rubber stick. Geoff

We must have different aerials Geoff because mine is amplified and when I unscrewed the top plastic part from mine it broke an internal wire connecting the two parts. Radio reception was awful and It took a bit of faffing to repair the damage.

 

[Lazzzydog]

When I did it, I just pushed the new one in (with reasonable force). I had a look at a few photos first to make sure I had it angled the right way to sit flush against the body.

If that works it has to be the easiest way.

 

[Jasn]

If that works it has to be the easiest way.

There was no wire involved in mine though. I think the electrical connection is made by the thread that screws into the piece under the grommet. I just had to unscrew the aerial, push the new grommet in, screw the aerial back in.

 

[Geoff Crispin]

The aerial is the same on both my zeds a 98 & a 02 ie standard as fitted in factory

 

[DrWong]

I did this job recently using the risk-averse, disconnect aerial (and swing roof pump out the way) approach

I wrote up a how-to in response to another member here:

https://zroadster.org/threads/cracking-aerial-grommet.29921/

 

[Lazzzydog]

The aerial is the same on both my zeds a 98 & a 02 ie standard as fitted in factory

Ours is a 98 and the aerial is standard so it sounds like BMW used at least 2 different types. I had a quick look at a how-to video on another thread and the threaded base of the plastic part appears to be solid in the video whereas ours is hollow with a wire down the centre into the base.