How to remove PO's cellular antenna?

VaSteve · 03-21-2004, 02:36 PM

I know some of you probably installed or had these things installed back in the day. I would like to remove mine. How do I get this thing free from the glass? I always thought that these were glued on. There's no hole drilled through the glass, right?

BTW: I only attached the spiral to take a nicer photo

stomachmonkey · 03-21-2004, 02:41 PM

They are held on with adhesive, usually double face tape.

Take a small putty knife to it and "persuade" it off.

I've removed several that way.

And you are correct, there is no hole.

Scott

Par911 · 03-21-2004, 02:48 PM

Let me know if need help to get it off Steve. You are doing your SC a favor in terms of aerodynamics

VaSteve · 03-21-2004, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Par911
Let me know if need help to get it off Steve. You are doing your SC a favor in terms of aerodynamics

The drag from that thing is what's keeping me back in that mini fun run

North Coast Cab · North Coast Cab's Garage

A heat gun carefully will loosen up the glue. Some of the early ones actually had a hole drilled through the glass. Good luck.

John

91C2wrencher · 91C2wrencher's Garage

I used dental floss to cut under the base, then a good soaking with googone to release the remaining adheasive

Gordo2 · Gordo2's Garage

Odd, my car had the same thing. Must have been the cool thing to do when cell phones 1st came out.

I used a razor paint scraper to remove it. Wait till you find all the other associated stuff. Mine had some sort of electical box and loads of wires in the trunk (under carpet near the smuggler's box), a microphone in the cab and other odds and ends that make you wonder where they go/what they are from.

Gordo

VaSteve · 03-21-2004, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gordo2
Odd, my car had the same thing. Must have been the cool thing to do when cell phones 1st came out.

I used a razor paint scraper to remove it. Wait till you find all the other associated stuff. Mine had some sort of electical box and loads of wires in the trunk (under carpet near the smuggler's box), a microphone in the cab and other odds and ends that make you wonder where they go/what they are from.

Gordo

When I get all of the parts out, I will post it. I'm just glad he didn't tie it into the radio.

I don't think it was the cool thing. I think it was the only thing.

piedogger · 03-21-2004, 10:29 PM

You get much better reception with an external antenna. Back when their wasn't a cell site on every corner you could really tell the differance.

The microphone, speaker, and "box" would be the remains of a hands free kit, though they are phone specific they are talking about making it illegal to talk on the phone in the car without one.

As far as a hole in the glass I have been doing car audio for 20yrs and have NEVER seen one have a hole in the glass. I believe if you tried to drill safty glass it would shatter!

And yes the best way to remove them is a little heat and a putty knife. Keep it flat, ie no twisting as you can shatter the glass.

slater · 03-22-2004, 09:10 AM

A little WD-40 will loosen up the adhesive.

Hugh R · 03-22-2004, 10:52 AM

Be careful pulling the inside part off, you don't want to cut the window heating conductive paint (wire). You can buy little bottles of the paint from autobody shops if you do cut it.

VaSteve · 03-22-2004, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hugh R
Be careful pulling the inside part off, you don't want to cut the window heating conductive paint (wire). You can buy little bottles of the paint from autobody shops if you do cut it.

I usually don't drive in the nasty weather, but IIRC the topmost and bottom most elements didn't work anyway. I just have to keep from busting the rest of them!

ludovicbreger · 03-22-2004, 04:21 PM

I have got the same thing on my 88. That's a good reminder
that I need to take it off.

kiesan · 03-22-2004, 05:01 PM

I wish I was so lucky. My genius PO drilled a hole sometime in the 80's dead center in the roof right in front of the rear window for a cell antenna. Brilliant. After deliberating as to what to do I decided to ditch the fender mount power radio antenna and install one of those roof mount things so I can be like a Jetta. Of course, the sunroof guts/mechanical drive are right below the hole... imagine trying to get the mounting nut, washer and wires routed properly for the new radio antenna with all that stuff in the way. Can't decide if I like the look of it or not but at least I'm the only one.