I have to ask - has anyone had any success with aftermarket replacement antenna masts? I have a bent one and hate to spend $60 at the dealer when I can possibly get a workable substitute for $20. AntennaMastsRUS comes to mind. Any help would be appreciated. Mine is an '02 if it makes any difference. Thanks.

 

From my experience, after market antennas work fine. Granted I haven't tried this on my SC430. I replaced the antenna mast, with one bought on Ebay for $10, for my wife's Volvo 850 (which is now long gone). The stereo system is garbage on Volvos of the past so I can't tell you if radio reception/quality was deminished. But I can tell you the antenna went up and down perfectly.

 

OK, thank you. I have ordered an inexpensive one from antennamastsrus.com on ebay and when it arrives I'll post a quick note indicating how it works out.

 

As a follow up to earlier post regarding the third party antenna mast, I received the unit ordered from antennamastsrus.com and am happy to report that it seemed to be pretty much the equivalent of the OEM unit for $13.95 plus shipping. I chose to disregard the procedure referenced in the installation instructions shipped with the unit and used the TSIB posted earlier in this forum. It took two or three tries to get into "ANT" mode on the ML audio head but once that happened everything worked as described in the TSIB. Time will tell but so far it's working fine.

 

Nice. Glad it worked out. Also good to know incase I need to do the same one day.

 

How about using a shorter fixed antenna like on Mercedes?

 

Short fixed antennas aren't my "cup of tea." They look like abnormal growths.

 

Better than our old obsolete telescoping ones.

 

Better is a subjective term...it's a matter of preference.

When I'm driving and I have the stereo on, I can't see the antenna so it doesn't bother me. When the car is parked, the antenna is completely down and barely noticeable.

With a short fixed antenna, it's always sticking out like you're trying to fish for something. Not to mention it's a very tempting target for vandals.

 

[QUOTE=del3180;5597801]Better is a subjective term...it's a matter of preference.

When I'm driving and I have the stereo on, I can't see the antenna so it doesn't bother me. When the car is parked, the antenna is completely down and barely noticeable.

With a short fixed antenna, it's always sticking out like you're trying to fish for something. Not to mention it's a very tempting target for vandals.[/QUOTE]

Hi 3180,

There is the problem IMO,

Jerry Baumchen

 

Well, newer cars use the short fixed one. So generally, better.

And I don't know about you, but I come from a neighborhood that vandalism isn't an issue.

 

LOL, newer isn't always better. BTW, newer vehicles feature fixed antennas because they are cheaper. Better = integrated antenna in the rear window. There's no protrusion of any sort.

I live in Orange County. The mean housing price even in this recession is still 1.4 million in my neighborhood. There is no vandalism to speak of. But I do drive to and thru the streets of LA for dining. Yes, vandalism does occur in LA, not often but the potential is there.

 

Anyone have any comments about removing/replacing the antenna nut? I priced one at Lexus yesterday; $25.84. Are you kidding me?!?!? Please LMK your thoughts. My car is an '02 SC430.

 

I removed the nut on mine with a couple of flathead screwdrivers. Mine wasn't on too tight so this may or may not work for you. I've also used a pair of pliers over a shop rag on other cars.

I replaced it with a mast from eBay without incident.

 

In response to SWTLYNN (#13), the antenna nut on my '02 wasn't difficult to remove and it's robust enough that I doubt you are likely to damage it. The 4 slots in the top of the nut are intended to engage an SST (read: spanner wrench) that you probably don't have. To straddle the mast in the center I used the jaws of a fairly long needle-nosed pliers taped with masking tape to loosen it, then spun it off by hand. I have heard of others doing the same with a snap ring tool, a Kelley clamp and even a flat screwdriver blade. Whatever you use should engage a couple slots and provide enough torque to turn the nut. It's a right-hand thread - CCW removes. Take care - you don't want to slip and gouge the quarter panel.