1996 Q45t advice

[NCSUbrewer09]

Hey guys,

I'm new to this forum and not real knowledgeable about cars but I just had a few things I figured I'd get advice on.

1. My antenna just stopped going down yesterday. I don't here anything so I'm not sure if I should try replacing the mast (which I saw in other posts can be the problem) or if it needs grease or how to figure out what the problem would be?

2. The front infiniti emblem is no longer glued on and popped off. I was thinking about getting a new one (they're like $12 at infiniti parts) and wondering what the best way to put it on would be.

3. The car has been in a minor accident where there was no real damage (5mph speeds type deal) but the front license plate bracket is pretty messed up and there are cracks in the paint right above the bracket spreading outward from being hit. I was wondering what would be the best way to go about getting a new bracket to put on?

Hope this post isn't a repeat of stuff that's been discussed, I didn't really see anything using the search feature.

[maxnix]

yeah, search is kind of neglected and thus broken for newbies. Even us old folk have to have a good idea what the desired post was about and who might have authored it.

You probably need to replace the mast and/or the motor.

Any 3M type trim adhesive should suffice.

http://www.infintipartsusa.com

is a great source of new OEM parts. Used would mostlikely be damaged also. If you can lose the front plate legally, Pep Boys and such sell little plastic plugs that are close to some of the body colors.

Welcome to NICO.
Modified by maxnix at 8:17 AM 6/23/2008

[NCSUbrewer09]

Thanks for the advice. Currently I can legally take off the front plate however I graduate in one year and am nervous that I could potentially end up somewhere where I need to have it on.

Also, I pushed the mast down a little and the next time I turned the car on the motor started going and there was a clicking noise and it went down after a few seconds. When I turned it back on it did the same clicking noise again until it finally went up where it is now stuck again. Do you think it just needs some light machine oil or is it probably from worn gear teeth? (I saw you mentioned this in another post)
Modified by NCSUbrewer09 at 8:28 AM 6/23/2008

[maxnix]

At least a bad antenna tail. You can buy the mast assembly from the source above or take your lucky on eBay.

[NCSUbrewer09]

I went to the advance auto parts and pep boys to try to find a spanner wrench to take the antenna apart and neither had one. The people in the store didn't even know what I was talking about. Should I just wrap a cloth around a vice and try not to get too tight to take off the top part? I'm just trying to ruin as little as possible. Thanks!

[maxnix]

My advice is no, You can either get the correct wrench, or pad and protect the car body and use a screw driver and small hammer. I recommend the former.

[elwesso]

To take the nut off the top of the antenna mast assembly i used some channel locks with either some tape on the teeth or a towel, that works really really well... And scratch free, im not even sure they make a tool thats easy to find to do that. if you're careful it comes off unscathed.

You actually want to grip it tighter than you think because you would rather put a tiny nick on it than slip it and put a gouge in it.

[maxnix]

You actually want to grip it tighter than you think because you would rather put a tiny nick on it than slip it and put a gouge in it.

And there's the problem with the plier approach; the chrome plating will be comprmised and corrosion will ensue. Not a good outcome in my book.

[NCSUbrewer09]

I'm still kinda nervous about using the channel locks just because I'm kind of a clutz and I'm afraid of doing damage but I can't find the spanner wrench anywhere so I'm not sure if I have any other options if I want to do it myself. (I've tried autozone, napa, pep boys, and advance auto)

*I just tried the hammer and screwdriver idea and the nut didn't budge at all and it looked like I was starting to damage the sides a little so I stopped.
Modified by NCSUbrewer09 at 9:42 AM 6/25/2008