SL aerials

[Drogo]

Hi folks


I'm curently looking to buy an R129 SL so scanning the PH clasifieds :-)

Question is I keep seeing SL's with the aerials not quite all the way back into the bodywork. Is this because there broke and if so how much to repair?

Regards
Dave

[dazren]

WD40 is your friend. Problem solved.

DAZ
(R129 in the family from 1990 to 2005, now with GregE240)

[Drogo]

Is that really all it is!

Thanks Daz, if the dealers don't know maybe I'll get some more money knocked off to fix the problem.

Cheers

[dazren]

Also if you break/bend the aerial you don't need to buy the whole system. Just the telescopic bit.

[r129sl]

You need to replace the antenna mast every couple of years: WD40 only lasts for a few days. A new mast costs about £30.00 and most dealers keep them in stock. I am on my third. There is no need to replace the entire unit (which costs about £600), even if the mast is bent or snapped, although it will benefit from being dismantled, cleaned and rebuilt after 10years.

[Nightmare]

friend of mine has snapped his aerial off by accident (its an old SL320)....seems to have sheared off just inside the metal cap and has come out attached to a fair amount of white pipe (which im guessing is the extender)....can he just buy a new pole off ebay or similar and then replace? How do you get the white tubing bit in the right place?!
thanks in advance to anyone
Night

[74merc]

It's easy to replace the mast.
Turn the radio on to extend the mast.
With an open ended spanner, loosen the lock nut on the base of the aerial.
Remove mast and white plastic extender thing.
Insert new extender into the aerial and have someone turn the radio off.
Once the extender catches on the cog, it will retract.
Tighten lock nut.
Job done.
You'll need the VIN to get a suitable replacement mast from a dealer. There are a few different types, you can tell which one you have by looking at round button on top of the mast - there will be some letters (I think) engraved on it.
Cost will be around £20-£30.