Power antenna fix - can't open the wheel well to get to the motor

[ouki]

Fixing the common power antenna problem is my project of the weekend!
I followed the instructions on the forum. I had an issue when trying to open the black wheel well and access the motor. I took the 10mm bolts off but there are plastic snaps still holding the wheel well to the fender. By looking through the passenger door side, I can see there is a black square plastic holding the back side. How am I supposed to take the snaps off without breaking them? Any detailed instruction would be appreciated. This is my 99 SR5.

 

[smallfry]

Just break'em and buy some new ones. Their pretty cheap. If your carefully when you break them you might be able to reuse them.

 

[4Running Daily]

Use a screw driver.
Stick it under the tab and twist the screw driver and then repeat but on the exact opposite side of the tab.

 

[ouki]

Just break'em and buy some new ones. Their pretty cheap. If your carefully when you break them you might be able to reuse them.

What is it called and what the part# is? I'd rather buying them first before breaking them.

 

[4Running Daily]

What is it called and what the part# is? I'd rather buying them first before breaking them.

Break one, and pull it out. Go to Toyota and buy more.

 

[smallfry]

What is it called and what the part# is? I'd rather buying them first before breaking them.

It's either

9046710186 or 9018906212

 

[Big John]

I got some at autozone after breaking several.

 

[ouki]

Mission accomplished! Thanks for all the help.
One tip I can give for those trying to do this job is that don't worry about breaking the plastic snaps holding the wheel well. Use a screwdriver and try from the sides around it and use some force. It'll come out without breaking it. I only needed to take three screws out of 7 to get to the motor. :hungry:

 

[98piranha]

Where did you get the power antenna motor from? Did it come with the mast?

 

[ouki]

Where did you get the power antenna motor from? Did it come with the mast?

My motor did not break. I needed to access the motor to get the boken mast part out. I bought my antenna on ebay for less then $20.

 

[TheDurk]

My motor did not break. I needed to access the motor to get the boken mast part out. I bought my antenna on ebay for less then $20.

Cool. This is on my wait-for-warm-weather list.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Most of those clips can be reached under your hood with a pair of needle nose pliers or a flathead screwdriver. For the ones you can't reach just snatch the shielding with your hands until the plastic clip pulls through.

The shielding is pretty stiff and will hold its shape without the clips. The only ones you really need to worry about are the ones in the front near the bumper. That part tries to push out and your tire will rub it when turning if those clips don't go back in.

 

[offthebeatenpath]

My motor did not break. I needed to access the motor to get the boken mast part out. I bought my antenna on ebay for less then $20.

Did you go with a whip style antenna or keep the power motor unit?
Was your replacement a used part or one of the new knockoffs that's all over ebay?

 

[ouki]

Did you go with a whip style antenna or keep the power motor unit?
Was your replacement a used part or one of the new knockoffs that's all over ebay?

I got the OEM power antenna mast on ebay. It looks identical to the original one. My power antenna motor is stock, with the new mast, it goes up and down when turning the radio on/off as it should be. So happy!