just use a lot of masking tape on everything surrounding the antenna including the little nut. Then the screwdriver tap should work with no risk to your car

 

I used needle nose pliers to remove the antennae mast nut. No problem . See video on youtube " replace antennae on sc430" easy day.

 

Man getting the antenna replaced on my 2008 right now, it is giving the car stereo guys the blues. They called and said the car was ready, drove it around the front of the shop and the antenna wouldn't go all the way down again. LOL.

 

I'm really thinking this is what I'll do instead of another power antenna. Anyone tried one of these and give any commentary on the radio reception?

http://www.theantennasource.com/LEXU...2002-2010.html

 

Yep. Just did the power antenna converter to the stubby style. Looks a bunch better and works great for FM. AM reception noticeably weaker but overall I recommend it. Just received the Pioneer head unit, backup camera and accessories I'll be installing in the next week or two.

 

i just realized I never replied two years ago…yes, the antenna length moves with frequency selection in the AM/FM bands…lower frequency higher antenna…
higher frequency lower antenna.
here is an old thread on this subject.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...on-the-ml.html

another thread on antenna tuning…
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...he-way-up.html

 

My wife came home from the car wash yesterday and guess what happened? LoL, yep, she left the antenna up, tried to bring it down, but it was too late…it had about a foot left when it got hit.
I planned for this day three years ago and had a spare antenna…it’s an easy task to replace the mast but I took the next step.
after I installed the new antenna, I unplugged the power connector.
we never listen to AM/FM radio, only XM, pandora etc.
I did test AM and FM with the Antenna up and down. AM really didn’t work with the antenna down but FM was the same, up or down. FM can use the windshield antenna.

 

Good to know BGW, thanks.

 

Had a similar incident just today. Took the car to Mister Car Wash and closed the covers for the radio/navi like i always do when i go to get it cleaned... the driver that runs it through the tunnel must have been in the mood to listen to the radio and opened the cover...turned on the radio while going through the tunnel. I watched from inside the building as it has glass all the way down the tunnel while the mast went up and broke on the spinning blue agitator thing...i turned around and spoke with the clerk and asked her to come look what was happening. They get a manager there and had to verify via cctv that it was closed when i gave them the car and closed all the way to the tunnel...

 

With all the talk about removing the nut without harming the paint...Shouldn't you all have one of these?...

I got one in a cheap car stereo tool kit decades ago. This one is available on Amazon for $13.

 

Sorry to see that hawang1jin. I hope that they paid to have your antenna replaced. I would be incensed too.

 

Personally i think converting to a "stubby" modernizes the look of the car. YMMV

 

this is just the second time I see the black wheel caps, the other time is in my garage!

 

I dont see the problem. Down here in South Texas we just get a reasonably straight piece of coat hangar wire and stuff one end in where the antenna is "broke off". Sometimes, just for decoration we leave the "hook" end on the top and tie a piece of the old ladies underwear on so we can see it across the WallMart parking lot.....

 

hahahahahahahaha….Stop it Jim, you crack me up,…