Antenna&Base

[kellyyysayss]

The previous owner of my car must have decided to go under a troll bridge. Seeing as these cars are very petite, I found it odd that my antenna/base was bent to quite an angle.

For a quick fix, I secured the antenna and base with electrical tape until I had time to fix it. Now that all of the mechanical work is done with my car, I'm movin on to body. I have a few questions:

1. Should I replace just the base, or the base/cable, or the base/cable antenna? I'm going off of different OEM packages I see for replacement.

2. Even if I do simply replace the base, do I have to take the headliner down?

3. How difficult is it to remove the headliner for replacement of the base or cable? Any DIY's online?

I'll post pictures tomorrow of my sad antenna, since it's late (and dark) here now. I haven't established exactly WHAT is bent until I do that (by taking the tape off).

[Supercharged98]

Sorry, you have to drop down the headliner to remove the base. You might be able to remove the rear trim panels the get the back half of the headliner to drop enough to reach the nut on the base.

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by kellyyysayss

The previous owner of my car must have decided to go under a troll bridge. Seeing as these cars are very petite, I found it odd that my antenna/base was bent to quite an angle.

For a quick fix, I secured the antenna and base with electrical tape until I had time to fix it. Now that all of the mechanical work is done with my car, I'm movin on to body. I have a few questions:

1. Should I replace just the base, or the base/cable, or the base/cable antenna? I'm going off of different OEM packages I see for replacement.

2. Even if I do simply replace the base, do I have to take the headliner down?

3. How difficult is it to remove the headliner for replacement of the base or cable? Any DIY's online?

I'll post pictures tomorrow of my sad antenna, since it's late (and dark) here now. I haven't established exactly WHAT is bent until I do that (by taking the tape off).

1) Replace both at one time. They only sell the 2 as a set anyways.

2) Take the Headliner down

3) Look here for the DIY

[Palmettoguy]

Originally Posted by Fl_bug

1) Replace both at one time. They only sell the 2 as a set anyways.

You sure about that?
Volkswagen VW BEETLE FUBA Antenna MAST 1998-2005

My base was fine, so I just replaced the antenna only.

[Loosenutbehindthewheel]

Originally Posted by Palmettoguy

You sure about that?
My base was fine, so I just replaced the antenna only.

Ditto.

[kellyyysayss]

....They obviously sell parts separate and in different sets. I don't know why I'd be required to replace the whole unit.

Anyway, I'll post pictures tomorrow

[HudsonValleyVDub]

Originally Posted by Palmettoguy

You sure about that?
Volkswagen VW BEETLE FUBA Antenna MAST 1998-2005

My base was fine, so I just replaced the antenna only.

I think he means if you buy the base, it comes with the mast as a set. Yes, the mast can be purchased separately.

[Palmettoguy]

Originally Posted by HudsonValleyVDub

I think he means if you buy the base, it comes with the mast as a set. Yes, the mast can be purchased separately.

Ahhh, ok.
Well, one can buy the base without the antenna if one was so inclined
VW MK4 Beetle Fuba Antenna Base
Just sayin...

[kellyyysayss]

Problem wasn't my base!

Before:


After:

[SMG]

Beautiful! If you're bored someday get a little tollpainting brush and one of those tiny tins of tremclad and paint your base, it will look like new and you won't be able to see the strokes. I fixed mine this way a few years ago for under $5 and even though it's been replaced since (got a new OEM one for free) it still looks brandy new sitting in my parts room. Just mask well and be careful.

[kellyyysayss]

Originally Posted by SMG

Beautiful! If you're bored someday get a little tollpainting brush and one of those tiny tins of tremclad and paint your base, it will look like new and you won't be able to see the strokes. I fixed mine this way a few years ago for under $5 and even though it's been replaced since (got a new OEM one for free) it still looks brandy new sitting in my parts room. Just mask well and be careful.

Thanks for your idiot-how-to PM

I have all the materials being an art major and big on body (mostly in old cars), so I plan on doing that soon.