Aerial Replacement

[Rob Sharp]

Has anyone replace the roof aerial on their 968?

I've a problem with AM reception, and apparently this is typically due to a failed amplifier located in the aerial base. I've done some tests and there is power going to the aerial (it's a common fault that the power has not been reconnected after work has been carried out) so power is not the problem.

I've taken the internal panel behind the sunroof off and gained access to the aerial, but it's on a nut that's recessed in a narrow well and which screws onto a hollow shaft through which the coax and the power cable run.

So, my specific questions are:

1. What tools/techniques have people used to get this nut off?

2. How are the cables attached to the aerial? I'm concerned that if I get the nut off, and try and pull the aerial off, I'll still be unable to draw the aerial away from the roof as there is no slack in these cables (they run taut back into the headlining), and I don't want to end up with damaged connectors.

Hope this makes sense.

Any experience of this would be helpful.

Rob

 

[John H]

I haven't removed the ariel, but I have had the roof lining out to fix the sunroof, and it's certainly not a job I relish doing again. [:'(]

Don't buy a Porsche replacement ariel. It is in fact a generic part also used by VW (and others) which you can get from one of the VW aftermarket suppliers for a fraction of the price. Do a search on www.968.net as I know this has been covered there.

JH

 

[2alexcoo]

John, I assume this would do the trick?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2446830347&category=9889

Rob - I have the same problem with reception and I also suspect the amplifier (it's definitely getting power). I am going to get hold of a new aerial as hopefully this will give me a kick up the backside to sort it out! I am now wondering if I could get the at the nut in question using some long nose pliers - I'll try and have a look over the weekend.

 

[John H]

John, I assume this would do the trick?

Yes and no, you would need the base which contains the amp. It does make me wonder about ebay though. Who would bother to sell something worth a couple of pounds at best. More bother than it's worth.

JH

 

[Rob Sharp]

Guys,

You do need the base unit as well, so the ebay link won't suffice. PorscheShop is doing one very cheaply for £25, while the VW item (for a Golf, and the same part effectively) is £55.

PorscheShop link is http://www.porscheshop.co.uk/offers.html. Scroll about 1/2 way down the page.

Trouble is, I'm a bit of a coward when it comes to dismantling bits of my "precious", so go for it Alex, and let us know if it fixes your problem and I'll follow suit.

Cheers,

Rob

 

[Rob Sharp]

Oops. There's a full stop after that link so it won't work. Try this one.

http://www.porscheshop.co.uk/offers.html

Rob

 

[2alexcoo]

Rob, thanks for the link. I am always wary of evilBay!

 

[2alexcoo]

Right, job done!

All in all, pretty straightforward. First step after removing the headliner behind the sunroof was to have a go at loosening the nut holding the base of the aerial in place. A pair of long nose pliers will fit, but in my case the nut was seized and I couldn't get enough leverage.

So, the only way to do it was to cut the wires and put a deep socket on it (17mm 3/8" drive deep socket, about £3.50 from Halfords). It's ok to cut them as the new aerial comes with wires of sufficient length:

 

[2alexcoo]

Then, it's just a case of pulling out the old aerial and inserting the new one. First complication: the threaded shaft on the base of the new aerial isn't as long as the old one. Basically, this meant I couldn't get the retaining nut to 'find' the thread. I got around this by trimming the "˜lip' off of the rubber seal that goes between the aerial base and the roof. This "˜lip' covers part of the thread, so removing it meant the threaded part became effectively longer, so I could get the retaining nut on:

 

[2alexcoo]

I attached this using long nose pliers, as obviously I couldn't use the socket with the new wires in place. No problem, as the new threads obviously aren't corroded, so the pliers gave enough leverage to tighten everything fully.

Second complication: the new aerial has a coaxial plug on the end whereas the car end terminates in a screw on fixing. Fortunately Halfords do a short adapter cable for about £5. Finally I spliced the new power cable to the car's power cable after confirming that I still have 12v coming from the car end.

End result "" great reception! I was particularly impressed as other owners have complained of poor reception even when the amplifier is working. With the new strong signal all the RDS gubbins works as well "" station names and all []

 

[John H]

Good work, and good report, but where did you buy the replacment ariel, and how much?

JH

 

[2alexcoo]

Got it from Porscheshop on the £25+VAT special offer []. One of my cheapest fixes ever - dread to think what a car audio place would have charged to do the job.

I can just imagine it now... "the parts are £75 guv, plus the VAT, and it's 3 hours labour 'cos its a bugger to get to, so that'll be £200 please squire"

 

[John H]

Yeah, deeply satisfying to do a job like that for a few quid, knowing how much you would have been charged otherwise. My sunroof failed, and I assumed I was looking at a bill for sqillions, but thanks to http://www.clarks-garage.com I found out how to fix it. I bought two plastic gearwheels from my OPC, for less than a fiver, and did the job. Very satisfying.

Now all I need is to work up the courage to change the cam chain and sliders myself! Another example of a megabugs job, which needs sixpence worth of parts.

JH

 

[Rob Sharp]

Alex,

Thanks for taking this on. I particuarly like the photos you've produced. I've bought the aerial coverter from Halfords, and will shortly order my aerial from Porsche-shop.

With a bit of luck I can duplicate your success.

Cheers,

 

[Rob Sharp]

Alex,

One question about the aerial fitting - did you use any sort of sealant to ensure a watertight seal between the aerial plastic seal and the paintwork?

Cheers,

 

[2alexcoo]

Rob

No, I didn't think of that. It sounds like a wise precaution - perhaps I'll put some silicone sealant or whatever under there next time I'm tinkering.

Regards

 

[Rob Sharp]

Alex,

Following your lead, I now also have a new aerial - and perfect reception - in my 968.

I hit the same problems you did - and had to trim the rubber seal to get the nut to bite as you described earlier.

But my main problem was getting the aerial tightened up properly. I eventually went out and bought a couple of spanners and new pairs of pliers. The ideal tool in the end was a pair of 6" pliers which just fitted into the recess and opened just enough to grab the nut.

On my car the hole in the roof for the aerial is square, while the new aerial is a round fitting. This means you must get someone to hold the thing while you tighten the nut up. Luckily my wife volunteered to stand in the freezing cold while I cursed loudly and often trying to find a tool that worked!

I also put a dab of silicone sealant on the rubber seal.

All in all though, a successful job - and the feeling of satisfaction when I turned the radio on and received AM loud and clear was fantastic.

Cheers,

 

[2alexcoo]

ORIGINAL: Rob Sharp

On my car the hole in the roof for the aerial is square, while the new aerial is a round fitting. This means you must get someone to hold the thing while you tighten the nut up. Luckily my wife volunteered to stand in the freezing cold while I cursed loudly and often trying to find a tool that worked!

Not having a glamorous assistant to hand, I had to improvise. I think it involved left hand grabbing aerial through sunroof opening, right hand tightening retaining nut with pliers, and feet sticking out the back. Got some funny looks from the neighbours...

 

[paulf968]

Alex

Funny looks anything to do with the trainers!!![][][]

paul