j30 Antenna motor

[mwells2000]

After hearing a grinding noise from the rear of the car (just after start-up) the antenna on my 1995 J-30, 120 k miles, stopped working. Fortunately antenna is in up position. Should I replace the entire unit, and is this sold as a package, or can just the motor be replaced?

Thanks for your advice.

Mike

[carlos_knology]

It's probably the mast. It's fairly common. The motor is pretty strong.

You can get the mast from http://www.everythinginfiniti.com (one of the board sponsors)

Check out this thread on how to do it yourself.

zerothread?id=27694

Carlos

[mwells2000]

Thanks for the reply. Is there a quick way to test the motor or gear to confirm if either needs replacement too?

Thanx, Mike

[carlos_knology]

I don't know of a sure-shot way. If I recall correctly, the motor is an enclosed unit. Sort of like the power window motors. I don't think there's an easy way to tell if it may need replacement.

However, I've heard of several people on here replacing just the mast. I don't recall hearing that the motor was also toast. The mast is definitely the weak link. I think the teeth on the mast go south before the ones in the motor do.

I'd get just the mast and see if that does the trick. The mast is MUCH cheaper than the motor.

Carlos