Power antenna disection and rebuild.

[Carmine]

Inside a radio maybe?

No, but you jogged my memory...

AKA Mexican Laserbeam

You might not be able to find the correct white color, lol, but the fix might be as close as Home Depot.

 

[Big_John]

Found this on the Imperialclub site. They used weed wacker line for the repair!!

Chris Middlebrooks Repair Article: Imperial Power Antenna Mast Repair

 

[commando1]

Found this on the Imperialclub site. They used weed wacker line for the repair!!

Chris Middlebrooks Repair Article: Imperial Power Antenna Mast Repair

Unbelievable. Handed to me on a silver platter. I am blessed!
Thank you for the 368th time John.

 

[vdk2010]

Haha, Stan ;) Since you asked, I would serch for a repair part cable. If not availabe in the aftermarket, I would search for a similar one that is available. I've rebuild the antenna in my Mercedes lately and it had a similar cable inside. And it was much thicker then the weed wacker ones?!

Mercedes uses Hirschmann antennas, if you check ebay for these, there is a bunch of replacement masts with cable. (one piece)

Maybe you can adept such part. At least, that is what I would do.

Hirschmann Antenna Mast Part #900 000 13 17

 

[cantflip]

Haha, Stan ;) Since you asked, I would serch for a repair part cable. If not availabe in the aftermarket, I would search for a similar one that is available. I've rebuild the antenna in my Mercedes lately and it had a similar cable inside. And it was much thicker then the weed wacker ones?!

Mercedes uses Hirschmann antennas, if you check ebay for these, there is a bunch of replacement masts with cable. (one piece)

Maybe you can adept such part. At least, that is what I would do.

Hirschmann Antenna Mast Part #900 000 13 17

I thought about that too. It may require playing around with the threads a bit and may not look exactly the same... but the motor looks like it may work with it. The only big problem is if the cable is too big. If it works, the German manufacturers and their aftermarket keep parts available for a much longer time than the US ones seem to. If a MB part works, they will continue to be available through MB Classic for the foreseeable future. They will even produce a small run of a part that is gone from inventory to service the classic customers, though it may take them a couple years to get to it.

 

[68Nwprt]

What is the diameter and length of the cable. 1/8 stainless steel cable e bay.
NEW 1/8", .125" Stainless Steel 7x7 Aircraft Cable Wire Rope 25' 50' 100'

 

[commando1]

Do believe you guys are on the right track.

I like 68Nwprt's suggestion:

 

[mr. fix it]

Weed wacker line!!!

It's worth a try...

 

[Big_John]

Google "push-pull" cables. I think you'll find some steel cored plastic coated cables.

If I took that approach, I would try to get something that was purpose made to use as a push-pull cable. That way the coating would be up to the task and not break down.

 

[commando1]

Google "push-pull" cables. I think you'll find some steel cored plastic coated cables.

If I took that approach, I would try to get something that was purpose made to use as a push-pull cable. That way the coating would be up to the task and not break down.

I'm gonna give that coated .125 cable a shot.

 

[68Nwprt]

With the cable it will be built to last. I wouldn't trust weed wacker line for longevity.

 

[commando1]

I've rebuilt the antenna in my Mercedes lately

I knew it!!!

 

[Big_John]

I'm gonna give that coated .125 cable a shot.

I dunno.

I'd be concerned about the coating breaking down or wearing through. If that happens, the cable would saw the internals up in no time.

 

[commando1]

All a moot point now BUT I gained valuable knowledge which is always priceless!

He just accepted my offer for a hundred bucks.

1977 Chrysler Mopar Electric/Power Antenna

Still gonna pick up some Stihl .130 line and give it a shot at rebuilding John's unit, tho.

 

[commando1]

wtf is going on with ebay links lately?

 

[tallhair]

Nice score Stan

 

[Carmine]

I think a steel coated cable is way overkill. This is an antenna, not a winch. You need a "weak link" should the antenna be obstructed for any reason, unless you prefer to ruin the mast or motor. Weed wacker line is more than adequate, probably the same as OEM except not 40 years old.

 

[tallhair]

I think a steel coated cable is way overkill. This is an antenna, not a winch. You need a "weak link" should the antenna be obstructed for any reason, unless you prefer to ruin the mast or motor. Weed wacker line is more than adequate, probably the same as OEM except not 40 years old.

Sounds logical

 

[live4theking]

Good for you Stan. I'm still interested to see how the weed whacker line works out.

 

[commando1]

OK. Solved the line situation