Antenna broke in car wash -- Replacement?

[Aurock]

A couple of hours after running my new cruiser through the full service car wash on Saturday, I noticed the antenna was missing. It looks like it was snapped off right at the base where it mounts to the fender.

I'm not sure exactly what's involved in replacing it, so any advice would be welcome.

I'd like to replace it without changing a whole lot the mounting hardware and such, will that limit me to oem replacement part? Otherwise, will one aftermarket antenna get better reception than another? Particularly on AM stations?

[Hooligan]

Aurock, it should just remove it using the base of the antenna. You can check with a dealer or wrecker. I removed mine and put a "shorty" antenna on it, (We have Sirius radio and very seldom listen to AM/FM.) no, I do not wish to sell it as I plan on putting it back on when/if we plan to trade it in.

[Aurock]

Originally Posted by Hooligan

Aurock, it should just remove it using the base of the antenna. You can check with a dealer or wrecker. I removed mine and put a "shorty" antenna on it, (We have Sirius radio and very seldom listen to AM/FM.) no, I do not wish to sell it as I plan on putting it back on when/if we plan to trade it in.

Thanks. Someone just posted a pic of the base of a pt cruiser antenna on another forum I mentioned this on, and it looks like if there's supposed to be a hex part where you can just unscrew the mast, that's gone too. The broken portion is about flush with the top of the chrome ring. I'm thinking I'll have to remove the part under the fender and replace it.

[Hooligan]

Sounds like you will have to remove all. I just checked on e bay, all kinds of antennas from $9.99 & up. I wouldn't think a stock antenna would be any more that that. You will have to use a screwdriver and hammer to tap the nut loose, be very careful or you WILL scratch the fender when the screwdriver slips. I know all about that.

[Mean Green]

Car washes with brushes eat things off of cars and eventually destroy the paint. I'd never use one. If you can't physically wash your car then go to a touchless car wash.

[Aurock]

The nicer/full service car washes here are all brush type. I use the manual car washes normally, but every once in a while I take it to a full service to get it washed & waxed.

[ucantcme]

Sorry to hear that. Go to AutoZone they have various amounts of replacement antennas.

[soonercruiser]

REPLACEMENT !!
Definately! Get a replacement for your car wash!
The antenna is easy to replace. You can get your hand in by the passenger front door to support the mounting assembly, before taking the nut off. It will usually take hand pressure there to get the nut to retighten too.
I'm mechanically challenged, and I installed my chrome bezel and flamed shorty with no problems!

(Anybody remember the days when the neigborhood holligans would go around breaking off antennas, pissing off your Dad?)
OH! No offense Hooligan!

[careyk]

Buy a shorty Antenna...very happy with mine...cheap too

[ucantcme]

Originally Posted by careyk

Buy a shorty Antenna...very happy with mine...cheap too

I tried the short antenna and reception SUCKED. I returned it and put my stock one back on.