DLaxMan3 Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 I have a 92 SC400 and my antenna is dead. When I turn the radio on i hear the antenna motor running but the antenna doesn't move. Is it the antenna or the motor. And what whould you suggest for a cheap raplacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDOwen2 Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Get a mast replacement from Lexus. Did a search and found this: You can replace the antenna yourself very easily, but it is really easy if you have a helper. First, you unscrew the bezel surrounding the base of the antenna. This has 4 slots coming out radially from the center. You can use a pair of pliers around the outside rim, but put a rag or piece of leather between the pliers and the bezel to keep from scratching it. Second, turn on the ignition and turn on the radio. This is where a helper comes in so they can turn on this stuff and you can be by the antenna when it starts coming out. The motor will just keep extending it until the antenna and the white nylon rack gear come out in your hand. As it is coming out, keep track of the direction the gear teeth on the nylon section are pointing so you can insert the new one in the same orientation. The fact that yours is bent and still operating probably means the whole nylon section is intact, but compare lengths of the old and new one and look at the end of the old one just to be sure some of it is not left in the motor. Third, place the new nylon mast in the antenna tube with the gear teeth pointing in the same direction as the old teeth came out. Press it in gently and turn off the radio. As the motor retracts the new antenna, feed it in as straight and as gentle as possible. I have been told not to put grease on the new mast, even though the old one comes out with a lot of grease on it. Opinions may vary on this. Replace the bezel and you are done. If the new mast does not go in just right the first time, you can turn off the radio, let the mast entend back out, and try again. You need to handle the mast without forcing it. The utility of a helper is that all this happens faster than you would expect. You can do it by yourself, but you have to be quick, and there is a risk of the mast scratching paint. Good Luck. Bill Harrison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bean_8044 Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 you have an old school mast antenna? thats wierd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilhunt Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 I ordered a replacement antenna on e---bay for $25.00 delivered. My old plastic antenna end busted inside the antenna. I had to remove the motor and take it apart and put in the new part. It worked perfect and it took about one hour. If your old antenna is not broken you can change it about 15 minutes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khouseal Posted October 20, 2004 Share Posted October 20, 2004 I just installed one I got from ebay yesterday, today I saw it at Pep Boys for a Toyota at $10.00 less than ebay! Looked the same from a quick glance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLaxMan3 Posted October 29, 2004 Author Share Posted October 29, 2004 My antenna is not bent it just does not come out without me pulling it out. Does that make a diference. And how much is a mast replacement from lexus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLaxMan3 Posted October 29, 2004 Author Share Posted October 29, 2004 is the mast the inside of the antenna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
project300 Posted October 29, 2004 Share Posted October 29, 2004 is the mast the inside of the antenna ← Yes, the mast is the metal part that moves up and down when you turn on and off the radio. It is attached to a plastic shaft with teeth that coils into the motor housing in the fender. The plastic shaft pushes and pulls the antenna. If you can hear your antenna motor running when you turn the radio on or off, then you can just replace the mast and that should fix it. Eventually, the plastic shaft breaks or the teeth wear and the antenna makes noise or stops working. Lexus will charge you around $200 for a motor/mast unit. I got the mast replacement for $24 shipped on ebay and it works great. It comes with the white plastic toothed shaft attached. My old mast did not come out very easily. I had to take channel locks and pull and twist (and destroy) it to get it out. I also took the motor housing apart to remove the broken pieces of plastic shaft. Then just feed the new mast's shaft in and turn off the radio and it gets sucked in. Put the trim ring on and you're done. If you dont hear the motor when you turn on and off the radio, then you might need a new motor/mast unit or could have an electrical issue. There is a $30 replacement for this on ebay too, but I have not heard any reviews of it. It's an easy and cheap fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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