00 4runner sr5 antenna problem

[eugenek]

hey guys,
my mom's 00 4runner sr5 limited is having a problem w/ the antenna. it goes up fine but it sounds as if the motor keeps on pushing but the antenna never fully exteneds, it also doesn't retract unless you give it a little tap from the top. i removed the antenna and it seems fine, my guess is that something is wrong w/ the motor. my mom has had the antenna replaced once before a few years back if that's relevant at all. i'm not sure if this is a prominent problem in this m/y but if anyone has had a similar problem w/ a solution, please help me out.
i'm familiar and comfortable around cars and can work on my a4 w/ no hesitation, but i'm unfamiliar w/ the 4runner layout, so if anyone can help me out i'd really appreciate it.

thanks

 

[ckon]

Sounds like the mast teeth are damaged. You probably just need to replace the mast. They're relatively cheap and easy to replace. Take the lock nut off the antenna and have someone turn on the radio while pulling up on the old mast at the same time. It should come all the way out. Then start the new one in and have someone turn the radio off - when the radio goes off it will retract the new mast into the housing. Then just replace the lock nut.

You may want to verify these instructions with someone at the dealer 'cuz it's been a long time since I've done one and I may have forgotten something. Good luck.

 

[eugenek]

so i should just need to replace that curly part w/ the teeth? (sorry for the non-tech terminology)
do they sell this piece alone, or will i need to purchase the entire antenna?
also, when i took out the antenna the first time to see what was wrong, i dont think that curly part comes off of the antenna, maybe i just didn't pull hard enough.

thanks for the info though, i'll look into it.

 

[ckon]

The "curly part" and the metal mast are all one assembly. See:

http://www2.toyautoparts.com/parts/...odel=4RU-V6-005&category=Z&&part=Antenna+Mast