Power antenna grinding - not the mast

[Ghostrider]

nothing is easy... the antenna started grinding and I decided to replace the mast when I had wheels off for LBJ's. I have replaced the mast six years ago with no problems. Today was not the same. I have a new OEM mast. I first tried the easy trick of removing old and they were same length. Fed the new one in and it would only go down - still grinds on the up, Pulled the motor and opened it up - no pieces. Put it back and now it runs fine but will not pull the new mast in. The teeth are going the correct direction. Is this the one in a million case where it really is the motor? Also all I did was open it up while in fender well. There is a small feed gear that is on the side that I ignored. Plenty of lube. Has anyone totally pulled apart the motor? Also how does the antenna wire come off? I didn't look for long but it does not look like it pulls off. If I can get it off I may try to repair on workbench..
Any thoughts or suggestions? I almost never use the antenna with satellite radio but I like things to work.