How to repair base antenna

[Richardrix]

Hi, I managed to knock the stubby Arial that the last owner had fitted to my Z3. This broke the top of the base antenna unit. I know that this is a common issue. I would like to have a go at fixing the base but can;t find any instructions from other that have done it. I am wondering how easy it is to reconnect the core that is left in the tube back to the top nut. Is this actually possible or am I wasting my time and should just get a replacement?

 

[mrscalex]

In my view not effectively repairable. But others have done it.

PM me if you just want a good used replacement.

 

[Mint]

I have repaired mine by soldering the wire back on to the top. The problem is getting a strong enough bond between the two plastic parts. It's never as strong as originally. It lasted for a few months but did break again so I would agree with Rob, get another unit from a breaker.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

@Richardrix Details of fix can be found here.
https://zroadster.org/threads/anyone-know-how-to-tighten-aerial-base-please.19639/#post-329817

 

[Geophys]

Take the stubby aerial off when you do get it fixed, my base unit lasted 16 years with the original flexible one, but got broken twice in car parks inside a year when I put a stubby on it. The aerial is in a very vulnerable place for people walking past it between cars. And yes I had to replace the unit both times. Back with a shorter flexible one now.

 

[Richardrix]

Take the stubby aerial off when you do get it fixed, my base unit lasted 16 years with the original flexible one, but got broken twice in car parks inside a year when I put a stubby on it. The aerial is in a very vulnerable place for people walking past it between cars. And yes I had to replace the unit both times. Back with a shorter flexible one now.

Yep, the stubby is already in the bin The original going back on when I get it repaired/replaced

 

[Richardrix]

@Richardrix Details of fix can be found here.
https://zroadster.org/threads/anyone-know-how-to-tighten-aerial-base-please.19639/#post-329817

Thanks for the link. I have the base out of the car. Managed to do it without moving the hydraulic for the roof. Will have a play with soldering a wire to the bit that has come off with a bullet on the other end which will hopefully then connect with the wire I can't get to that's down in the tube. Worth a shot.

 

[mrscalex]

Thanks for the link. I have the base out of the car. Managed to do it without moving the hydraulic for the roof. Will have a play with soldering a wire to the bit that has come off with a bullet on the other end which will hopefully then connect with the wire I can't get to that's down in the tube. Worth a shot.

Very easy to swing the hydraulic unit out the way. Undo nut and rotate in position.

 

[colb]

Rob, I managed to solder a thin wire inside to repair mine when I broke mine, take the rest of the top off to get in there, mine has stood up for the last two years at least.

 

[Richardrix]

Rob, I managed to solder a thin wire inside to repair mine when I broke mine, take the rest of the top off to get in there, mine has stood up for the last two years at least.

Did you just use normal wire?

 

[colb]

Yes small guage wire, just soldered both ends, others drill a small hole in the top part as seen in the thread link posted earlier, that looks a better way of ensuring a good connection to the top screw in part. If memory serves me right the original wire is a small braided wire, very thin. I used araldite epoxy glue to fix the broken plastic top back together after soldering the new wire on.

 

[Richardrix]

Yes small guage wire, just soldered both ends, others drill a small hole in the top part as seen in the thread link posted earlier, that looks a better way of ensuring a good connection to the top screw in part. If memory serves me right the original wire is a small braided wire, very thin,

Thanks, yeah, sometimes antenna wire is copper I think. The thing that is getting me is how to get down the tube to solder to the wire in there. It is about half way down and the tube is very thin. Not wanting to melt the tube.

 

[colb]

Try and tin the end of the old wire and the new then use the soldering iron higher up the new length of wire so the heat travels down to where they are going to join, they have more chance of the solder flowing to make the joint and prevent any damage to the plastic from the iron.

 

[DavidM]

Hi, I managed to knock the stubby Arial that the last owner had fitted to my Z3. This broke the top of the base antenna unit. I know that this is a common issue. I would like to have a go at fixing the base but can;t find any instructions from other that have done it. I am wondering how easy it is to reconnect the core that is left in the tube back to the top nut. Is this actually possible or am I wasting my time and should just get a replacement?

View attachment 124217 View attachment 124215 View attachment 124213

Replacement is the most durable solution.
@spurs fan in a coupe may be able to assist with the part.

 

[Eddie Zedder]

As @colb said, undo the large silver nut and the tube will come off exposing the broken wire. Solder a new longer piece of wire to the old and strip back so that the insulation is about 15mm longer than the length of the tube. Tape up joint, put tube back on, drill a hole in the ball end and feed wire through and solder on. Glue ball back onto tube and Bob's your uncle!

 

[Richardrix]

I'll have a play at fixing this tonight and let you know how I get on. Many thanks for all the advise and suggestions. Very much appreciaqted. Cheers.

 

[Richardrix]

A quick trip to B&Q to grab some solder and then had a play. Not soldered in a few years so not the most pretty in the world but hope it works OK. Will try it in the car tomorrow and if it works then I'll glue the top back on with some epoxy. Didn't drill it as the soldering seems quite solid. If it works I think I'll make these pictures in to a how to guide as well.

 

[Mint]

A quick trip to B&Q to grab some solder and then had a play. Not soldered in a few years so not the most pretty in the world but hope it works OK. Will try it in the car tomorrow and if it works then I'll glue the top back on with some epoxy. Didn't drill it as the soldering seems quite solid. If it works I think I'll make these pictures in to a how to guide as well.

Looks good but that's the easy bit Richard. As I said above, getting a good strong bond between the ball and the tube is the hard part. Good luck

 

[Richardrix]

Looks good but that's the easy bit Richard. As I said above, getting a good strong bond between the ball and the tube is the hard part. Good luck

It's actually a really tight fit when I push it in so I am confident with some good glue it will be sound.

 

[Michael Burridge]

It's actually a really tight fit when I push it in so I am confident with some good glue it will be sound.

Hi Richard - the same has happened to mine so I'll be following your pics to try and sort... Thanks for sharing