Stuck power antennae - HELP!!
 

Since the weather turned cold, my power antennae has a hard time going up and down....without the help of my hand. I tried to grease it with lithium grease but it still has a hard time.

What can I use to lube it up correctly???

did the antenna get bent all.....that will cause it to move slow....and now that its cold it might make the problem worse

It's not bent as far as I can tell. It seems fairly straight.

Most likely the plastic cable is broken and will no longer retract.

It's able to pull itself down if I push on it a little bit. Everything was working fine until it got cold.

Did I hear someone mention rem-oil for using on the antenna?

The recommended cleaning and oiling is to use mineral spirits. Try spinning the different sections of the antenna and see if there is a direction that binds less than others. My 96 Buick used to do the same thing and that helped. If it doesn't - your only solution may be to tear it apart to inspect the plastic cable, and maybe grease internally.

When winter comes, I usually run the antenna up and pull the electrical connector so it stays up all winter. That way, the antenna drive doesn't get broken trying to operate when the thing is covered in ice. It may be that water is leaking down inside the mechanism and freezing causing problems. I don't do automatic washes so breaking the mast in the car wash is not a problem for me. This is a cheap solution, but it works.

I don't have a problem cleaning it again, but what can I use to grease it back up?? I have lithium grease at home but dillcc mention rem-oil. What's the best stuff to use?

Bill, currently that has what I have done to my antennae. It's up and unplugged. I have thought about getting a fixed replacement from AntennaeX (http://www.antennax.com/products/description_ax02.htm) but I'm not sure if it'll work the same. If I cannot find good grease, I'll order it.

dont get a "universal" replacement

we can get you one from the yard that is made for our cars