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Repair of damaged roof top antenna
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Posted 1/18/2010 2:54 PM
Otiswesty
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Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3002
2000
Repair of damaged roof top antenna

My 2002 G500 had the roof top antenna damaged in a car wash a month or two ago. The roller in the car wash bent the small rubber nipple and made a slight dent in the roof behind it. The rubber of the nipple was slightly cracked but I didn't think much of it at the time and put it in the top 1/3 of my to do list. So last week I finally got around to fixing it. I had parked the G outside overnight, something which rarely happens as I like to have it garaged. Some pure Oregon rainwater entered throught the crack in the rubber and collected in the dome light. When I drove to work in the AM and went around my first corner I had some water dripping down much to my dismay. All of a sudden it was at the top of the to do list.

Access to the underside of the antenna is easy, pushing the entire domelight unit forward toward the windshield and pulling down on the upper edge. The antenna boot has an integrated grommet and can be pushed down into the cab. The dent pushed out easily and the antenna boot was replaced in the hole using some clear silicone sealant around the base. the dealer sold me a new cover which goes on top of the original boot. It is slightly more prominent than the original piece and has an internal flange which interfaces with the groove near the base of the original nipple. All told, it was a very simple and easy repair. The headliner did not get wet as the water that did get in must have dripped directly down into the main dome light clear plastic bowl. Lucky.

The silicone was the "shower in 1 hour" type, but as it started to rain about 5 minutes later I had to pull it into the garage.



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#164110
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Posted 1/19/2010 12:14 AM
s2kysk
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Date registered: Aug 2009
Location: PNW
Vehicle(s): 04' G500 Black/Gray, 00' 528it BMW, 86' 911 turbo
Posts: 40
25
Re: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

Thanks for diy with photos.
I have same problem and just left it as is for now as I haven't decided on whether to remove the antenna completely and get a plug or replace it.
Does this have any function?
#164143 - in reply to #164110
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Posted 1/19/2010 1:45 AM
4x4abc



Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: La Paz, Baja California, Mexico
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
5000
Re: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

I have the procedure in detail on my photo site - took mine apart to add a satellite antenna
http://carlosnpainter.smugmug.com/Cars/satellite-radio-antenna/7867...
#164150 - in reply to #164143
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Posted 1/19/2010 7:11 AM
Inkblotz
Expert




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo
Posts: 3184
2000
Re: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

Though it was fun figuring out how to do it.... Too bad you did not document the damage at the car wash. They would have paid for the entire repair.

I was coming home from Charlotte early this year when I decided to hit the car wash before I hit the road. Being a rag top I never do this so I was a little skeptical. I asked them specifically if my G was safe going through. "Oh yes very safe" Well when I came out the other side one of the rubber fingers had sheared off one of my fog lights. I filled out the report. Called Steve at Eurotruck when I got home for a price of a new fog light. Submitted it and the check came in 3 days. On a side note I had a spare Fog light at home so I pocketed the cash.

Back to hand washing.
#164166 - in reply to #164110
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Posted 1/19/2010 7:28 AM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
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Re: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

Inkblotz - 1/19/2010 7:11 AM

Back to hand washing.


Always. My G's have never seen the inside of a car wash; and the Transsyberia, if I keep it, probably will not either.
#164169 - in reply to #164166
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Posted 1/20/2010 10:04 AM
dalexa001
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Date registered: Feb 2008
Location: Anniston, Alabama, USA
Vehicle(s): 2011 G550, 2012 Sequoia
Posts: 157
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Re: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

Dutch, did you get the Porsche? pics?
#164244 - in reply to #164110
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Posted 1/20/2010 10:10 AM
DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
5000
Re: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

dalexa001 - 1/20/2010 10:04 AM

Dutch, did you get the Porsche? pics?


Yes. I have pics, but may not keep it much longer. It goes in today for the FRA (Final Repair Attempt) under Georgia Lemon Law.
#164245 - in reply to #164244
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Posted 1/20/2010 1:45 PM
Otiswesty
Administrator




Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3002
2000
Re: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

Inkblotz - 1/19/2010 4:11 AM

Though it was fun figuring out how to do it.... Too bad you did not document the damage at the car wash. They would have paid for the entire repair.

Back to hand washing.


The car wash was not a good option as I had already lost my receipt to a half full cup of coffee and the repair seemed less of a pain than small claims court or dealing with...

Since I drive my car, like, all the time, handwashing is not the best option for me.

I was initially hesitant to post the repair as it seems kind of simple, but thought it might be nice to show what is behind the dome light and easy access to add a GPS antenna like Harald did or something like that. In reality, it is not much harder than changing out a side marker bulb except no tools are required. The part number for the boot is 202-827-00-31. Full retail at the dealer was $13.00, probably cheaper through some peoples sources.
#164256 - in reply to #164166
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Posted 8/20/2017 8:04 AM
8899
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Date registered: Jan 2017
Location: Northern Virginia
Vehicle(s): 1994 E500; 2003 W210 4Matic Wagon; 2008 G55
Posts: 14

Re: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

The part number for the antenna assembly is 210-820-21-75 (does not include the roof-top cap) and can be purchased for $87 from www.mboemparts.com.
#237061 - in reply to #164110
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Posted 8/24/2017 5:00 PM
Otiswesty
Administrator




Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3002
2000
RE: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

I replaced that rhino horn with a 3/4" patio chair glide in black from ACE and some butyl sealant

The original antenna is only for the cell phone (inop) and analog Tele-Aid (also inop), so I see no reason to keep or repair it. Future source of leaks.



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Attachments PatioChairGlide.JPG (116KB - 7 downloads)
#237089 - in reply to #164110
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Posted 8/27/2017 7:37 AM
Inkblotz
Expert




Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo
Posts: 3184
2000
Re: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

Where is the radio antenna for yours? In the fender or rear window or ???
I am looking to replace my non functioning Automatic motorized Hirsch fender mast unit with a fixed one that I can possible mount in the headliner behind the dome light. I do not intend to drill any holes just thought mounting it high in that area would be OK.
However there was a little chatter online that suggests that the metal roof would interfere with reception. Anyone know if there is any truth to this?
#237093 - in reply to #164110
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Posted 8/31/2017 8:26 PM
Otiswesty
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Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
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RE: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

Per EPC, they make a sliding window version with the in glass antenna, I think it would be hard to find this though.

There are pretty nice through glass antennas that can be applied to the bottom of the windshield. I was thinking of going that route in my VW Bus

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013X8T8BC/ref=asc_df_B013X8T8BC5148447/?t...



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#237118 - in reply to #164110
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Posted 9/9/2017 7:31 AM
Inkblotz
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Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo
Posts: 3184
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Re: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

Thanks Eric
#237149 - in reply to #237118
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Posted 9/12/2017 5:00 PM
Otiswesty
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Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3002
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RE: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

Here is the sliding window with the antenna. I'm guessing NLA or super expensive.



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Attachments SlidingWindowRadio.jpg (119KB - 1 downloads)
#237177 - in reply to #164110
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Posted 4/25/2018 10:54 AM
gbenzer
Extreme Veteran




Date registered: Dec 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 2007 G-500, 2017 Audi Q7
Posts: 418
300
RE: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

My rhino antenna finally deteriorated enough that a pine branch on my last off road trip removed it for me. I reviewed the various fixes posted here and came up with another fix. Being a HAM radio operator I opted to use an RCA "NMO" mount which is available from any Ham radio store. It is a simple fix to remove the old parts and place the NMO mount in the existing hole, no drilling, if you get HAM NMO mount, not a true RCA model. If you get a HAM style mount no drilling is required even though the salesman may tell you it needs a ¾" hole in the roof. The assembly comes with a coax cable attached and I just coiled it up and placed it in the area above the console/light assembly so I could use it later if necessary. Then I put a plastic cover that is made to put over the mount if an antenna is not going to be placed immediately on the mount. The mount and the antenna or plastic cover make a weather proof assembly that is sealed with 2 o-rings against the roof. Now the plastic cover looks like another GPS or satellite antenna on the G. It will also withstand automatic car washes and even a few tree branches.

Edited by gbenzer 4/25/2018 5:31 PM
#239010 - in reply to #164110
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Posted 4/25/2018 8:10 PM
Otiswesty
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Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
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RE: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

gbenzer - 4/25/2018 7:54 AM
If you get a HAM style mount no drilling is required even though the salesman may tell you it needs a ¾" hole in the roof.


I am pretty sure the hole is 3/4" as the patio chair glide was that size and fit perfect.

There should already be a coax cable going up to the roof from the center console, although it may not be the right size for a HAM radio. Would be cool if you could reuse it. If not it can serve as a pull wire.
#239011 - in reply to #239010
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Posted 2/21/2020 6:43 PM
Vehicross99
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Date registered: May 2009
Location: So Texas/SW Colorado
Vehicle(s): 2006 G500
Posts: 161
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RE: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

Me too........



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#241513 - in reply to #239010
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Posted 10/10/2022 12:42 PM
Jacobiani
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Date registered: Oct 2022
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Posts: 1

Re: Repair of damaged roof top antenna

It's unfortunate that you didn't record the damage at the car wash. They would have covered the entire cost of the fix. The shark antenna on the RAV4 fell off violently as I hit the bottom of the garage, causing damage to the roof where the antenna is mounted. I will need certain tools to flatten it first and then reattach the antenna. It is somewhat bowed but not broken. What substance can I use to coat the damaged area—a little portion still has paint—to stop it from rusting? There is likely no need to paint it because the shark antenna cover covers it.
#243802 - in reply to #164110
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