X308 aerial question

[ferrariF50lover]

This might be the most boring thing ever posted to the internet, but here goes...

My 01/51 XJ has an aerial which doesn't retract fully, but instead leaves about 8 inches or so protruding. Now, I live in an achingly middle class hamlet on Dartmoor, so it's perfectly safe here, but when I am forced to venture out among the great unwashed, it's just begging to be snapped off.

Is this right, or should it retract the whole way?

Simon.

[NormanD]

YES it should go down fully

I expect all it is the aerial is dry and dirty

Put it up fully and with some 3 in 1 oil on some paper towel wipe it clean
The turn the radio off and as ir goed down help it retract fully
Then repeat the same a few more times

Should be working OK now

Do check that it isn't damaged, bent slightly, if it is or it still doesn't retract fully
one can purchase just the part that retracts

[rswift]

It's a common/easy problem to fix.

If it doesn't respond to cleaning, or is bent as mentioned above you can buy just the "mast" the aerial bit. Assuming the motor works (you should be able to hear it).

I haven't bought one for ages but suspect EBay may be a starting point, I would think an X300 is the same item

[ferrariF50lover]

rswift said:

It's a common/easy problem to fix.

If it doesn't respond to cleaning, or is bent as mentioned above you can buy just the "mast" the aerial bit. Assuming the motor works (you should be able to hear it).

I haven't bought one for ages but suspect EBay may be a starting point, I would think an X300 is the same item

Thanks for the answers, chaps. I don't think it's even slightly kinked, so I'll give it a go with some WD40 (if that's a suitable substitute for the 3-in-1 which I don't have?)

Simon.

[ferrariF50lover]

It worked. I now have a fully retracting aerial. I'd like to thank my sponsors, my mum and dad, and the cast and crew of Pistonheads!

Simon.