MX-3 pillar mounted aerial
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Hi,
I've got a 1998 1.8 v6 and some charming individual has broken the aerial rod off.
There is a rectangular plastic mounting just above the drivers door secured by 2 small screws.
The unit can be teased up from the roof by approx 2cm but is clearly anchored further down to stop the lead flapping around.
All I can see is the end of the rod which is flush with the plastic mounting.
Rather than take the unit out completely I tried to drill into the broken end of the rod to secure either a plug in or threaded end of a home made replacement rod but the broken end is clearly stainless or something equally hard. I've tried both cobalt and tungsten tipped drills without success. Anybody got any ideas?
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Inside, the plastic pillar cover just pulls off, its only clipped on, you can see the antenna sleeve in there.
You could either get a new one from a scrappy and then its just a case of take the radio out and chase the antenna cable around the steering column and up the side of the dash with some srting attached to the end so you can pull the new one back through and you will find that is what is holding it all in
The other way is put the antenna in a certain distance and then drill through the case with a screw to hold it in that way.
Me I would go for the full replace or you can buy a sharks fin to fit that on fleabay and do the full replace. Antenna's have a very small voltage that goes down them from the radio, the external part of the coax earths to the body and the center connects to the antenna, crossing them causes the antenna to only receive from the short and not the full lentth
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Hi,
Many thanks. It's a bit nippy outside today but I'll pull the plastic case off shortly and have a go.
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@40741acd1e=barrygadd2003:
Hi,
Many thanks. It's a bit nippy outside today but I'll pull the plastic case off shortly and have a go.Pull the cover gently, they can get brittle, there should be 3 round clips that just push into drilled holes holding it on, feel your way down you will find where they are to get a better grip on them as they can be tough
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Hi,
I've given up trying to drill into the broken end of the aerial so the brute is coming out.
I unscrewed the 2 screws and lifted the base up a couple of cm. There is a rubber seal against the body and the plastic moulded housing above. I couldn't see any clips but could see 2 or 3 tiny holes. Did I miss the clips or am I looking in the wrong place?
The hole centres are 75mm apart. Is there a suitable replacement pillar mounted normal or beesting version that will fit using these existing holes?
I've looked on ebay and searched using Google but to no avail.
Thanks
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I might have a spare complete unit, if you like?
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I have a BNIB unit in my shed if you want it?
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Yeah, well… mine's been on a really fast MX-3. So there!
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@bc62454f67=Famine:
Yeah, well… mine's been on a really fast MX-3. So there!
Don't be put out… :lol:
Just creating an open market.. :wink:
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I have a coat hangar
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@1723bbddd5=Jesta:
I have a coat hangar
Is she one of the 600 for whom the contraceptive implant didn't work then?
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/slap
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Thanks to all for the help given.
I had a go at repairing the broken aerial. Rather than remove the instrument cluster to free the aerial cable (it wouldn't pull through behind the dashboard) I cut the cable leaving 3 inches or so protruding above the roof. The broken aerial rod came out fairly easily from the mounting. I found approx. 40cm of 3.15mm brass rod amongst my bits and bobs and using a rat tail file I eased out the hole through the mounting which then allowed the rod to slide (fairly tight) through. I then soldered a small brass nut (I filed off the corners to smarten it up) on each end to stop it pulling through. All I need to do now is to join the 2 cable ends and put the aerial back. Job done….
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so your going to have a bling brass aerial?
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Bling it is!!!!! After all the faffing around I hope it works ok…..
I need to check the car against the MOT check list eg checking the caliper pistons are free etc then it's in for the MOT.
One thing I did notice when I collected the car is the exhaust seems a bit loud ; not puffing due to leak but definitely throaty.
I'm sure the V6 generates a generous grunt but is this normal compared to an average saloon car? eg I also run a Ford Focus which seems quiet by comparison.
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when you go for it they can get throaty even with the standard exhaust
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Focus sounds like a mouse to the V6 lion.
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mine has a standard exhaust on it and yes it is more grunty than your average car, take a pic, you might have an aftermarket exhaust, in which case, Ill gladly buy it off you.
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Hi,
The MX-3 passed its MOT today. No real advisories but the rear pads are a bit low and the handbrake could be stronger so I'll have a go at these next.I questioned the exhaust noise with the MOT guy and we looked underneath with the car on the ramp (I wish I had one of these..) and found the silencer is a stainless steel sports type.
I might look for a standard silencer (anybody got a used one they don't want I don't want to spend a lot on it) and then compare the noise with my current roar.
If anybody is in the Woking area let me know ; maybe we can compare cars and have a chinwag.
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Hi,
The MX-3 passed its MOT today. No real advisories but the rear pads are a bit low and the handbrake could be stronger so I'll have a go at these next.I questioned the exhaust noise with the MOT guy and we looked underneath with the car on the ramp (I wish I had one of these..) and found the silencer is a stainless steel sports type.
I might look for a standard silencer (anybody got a used one they don't want I don't want to spend a lot on it) and then compare the noise with my current roar.
If anybody is in the Woking area let me know ; maybe we can compare cars and have a chinwag.
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Ill swap you my standard one for your sports one. ill pay postage both ways