My aerial just dismantled itself!

[orange_dodo]

I found today that my aerial has broken and fallen to pieces. It's not a real problem as I can't really listen to the stereo on the move but I'd like to have it in working order.

Has anyone fitted a glass mounted aerial in the boot or anywhere else on the body? I can't see it being a problem as fiberglass doesn't attenuate RF signals much and the cheapo ones have an amplifier. I imagine getting the aerial to the back is to get it as far away from the engine and its interference so I would like to fit it in the boot.

The old aerial was bodged in as the old cable was just cut, with the core and shield just twisted together and taped up, they weren't even soldered. Does anyone know the route of the cable to the aerial or have any suggestions on how to thread the new one!?

Also what the hell do I do with the hole in my rear wing!?

[phillpot]

Ariel cable on mine goes through the nearside cill, if old cable still there could probably use to pull new cable through , if not could be bit more aukward. When I moved battery into the boot managed to get the lid off some small mini trunking through as a "fish wire" then taped battery cable to it and pulled it back, lots of cursing and fibre glass scratches !

Can't see any easy fix for the hole though, fill, prime and respray wing or put the ariel back in it ?

[Griffinr]

My old aerial cable went down the drivers side cill and seemed to have got stuck so I abandoned it. My aerial is now just a loop of wire taped under the centre console attached to the plug in the back of the radio. Very simple, easy to try and works fine on my car.
I bonded a black plastic grommet into the hole left by the old aerial which looks quite acceptable as the paint around it is undamaged.

Rob.

[Barkychoc]

I can't remember where it was and it was some time ago but I have seen a bolt in domed cover type thing specifically designed to block an aerial hole - it might be worth trying a car audio place I guess.

Just found this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Halfords-Aerial-Hole-Blankin...

[tinks v8S]

was thinking of taking mine off
was going to use a wash hand basin blanking plate same as the halfords one
but from plumbers merchant

[orange_dodo]

Chris and Tinks, thanks a lot thats just what I needed.

As to the aerial cable, I'll give the string tied to the end a go and see what happens, need to figure out where it comes out first!

Have to take the car to work tomorrow but it need the alternator and coil putting back in and the bolt drilled out first....going to be a long morning!

Thanks for the help everyone.