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Just got the car back from service, replaced all the power steering hoses with OEM parts. I also replaced the antenna mast myself (goes all the way down now).
Just got the car back from service, replaced all the power steering hoses with OEM parts. I also replaced the antenna mast myself (goes all the way down now).
I need to replace my antenna as well, did it require a lot of effort, like taking out all the trunk covers ect?
Actually the mast itself is really easy if your motor is good!! That is, my antenna would go up and down fine, but not all the way down when I turned off the car. If that's the same in your case it's really easy. The mast is $20 on Amazon.com, and you just need someone to press the AM + DISC buttons as they turn on the car. As the antenna comes up just pull it out and it will release. Then put the new one in and turn the key to LOCK and it will grab it as it retracts. Now it sits flush when the car is off.
Actually the mast itself is really easy if your motor is good!! That is, my antenna would go up and down fine, but not all the way down when I turned off the car. If that's the same in your case it's really easy. The mast is $20 on Amazon.com, and you just need someone to press the AM + DISC buttons as they turn on the car. As the antenna comes up just pull it out and it will release. Then put the new one in and turn the key to LOCK and it will grab it as it retracts. Now it sits flush when the car is off.
Does that also replace the plastic or nylon strap that attaches to the bottom of the mast or just the mast itself? My motor works fine. Stupid me, forgot to turn off the radio before going through the car wash.
Yeah it comes with the nylon piece. The dealer wanted $129 to replace just the mast, or $352 to replace the entire motor.
Edited to add: I used a screwdriver and tapped on it lightly a little at a time to take out the retaining nut that holds the antenna in. Be sure and point it away from your car as you do so because if it slips you could scratch the paint!
Switched to my summer tires and wheels and did a quick detail. Also got around to having my new 06+ tail lights and clear side markers vinyl tinted. I also got around to installing my 8ohm 6.5" JL Audio Woofers in the doors. Required a 3/4" spacer but all's good now. Had to leave town to head down to Orlando for a few weeks. Can't wait to get back to Chicago and just cruise Lakeshore with my lady in the passenger seat, top down, jamming to some summer tunes.
Update on the SC430 towing the ST1100 on a trailer. There was an ST garage event 3 hours away. It was 40 degrees, raining and at 6:00 am, dark. I decided this would be a good test of the Lexus towing the trailer.
It did really well. It has 5 speeds, so I just put it in 4th D. It never downshifted; not even on steep hills. At 70mph it was at 3,000 rpms. I added 2 more PSI in the rear tires. Any more and the tps goes off. It is a much more confortable ride than the Excursion. I put the cruise at 70. I got 16.9 mpg. Not bad for a V-8. If I put the stock shield on the ST I bet I would get 20mpg. I would like to put surge brakes on it, bit I don't think it really needs them. The SC has a curb weight of 3,500 pounds. The trailer weighs around 400 pounds, and the bike around 700, for a total weight of 1,100 pounds.
For some reason I can't get a Flickr link to work.
The owners manual and service schedule don't recommend towing, but do recommend torquing the drive shaft flange bolts when towing, so someone has done it somewhere.
Yeah it comes with the nylon piece. The dealer wanted $129 to replace just the mast, or $352 to replace the entire motor.
Edited to add: I used a screwdriver and tapped on it lightly a little at a time to take out the retaining nut that holds the antenna in. Be sure and point it away from your car as you do so because if it slips you could scratch the paint!
So, it can be done without removing the motor and the trunk panels?