Antenna mount torn loose

[rmcobb]

Well, 4 weeks into ownership and I notice the antenna mount is loose. Dealership says it has been hit or taken thru a car wash....which I've never done. Happened somewhere ??? prior to me picking it up. So, damage to the roof dictates full removal and replacement with a new antenna. They say they can bend the metal back down such that the new antenna will fit and attach. We'll see. At least they are stepping up and taking responsibility.

Can't take it thru a car wash?? Researching this, it appears they say you must remove the antenna prior to going thru a car wash. Just can't believe it would do this type of damage. I see alot of folks have gone to a stubby antenna, which sounds like a good idea.

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[mjpjr45]

I had the one on my old fusion sport ripped off in a car. As soon as I got my Ranger I got one of the little stubby ones. It looks better and works just as well. Got it on Amazon for like $15.

 

[superj]

man, i have opened this thread two or three times and it always makes me scared to go through the car wash. i guess i need to get a stubby antenna

 

[superj]

i had to screen shot this and send it to my son.

 

[Awirez]

Hold on, that terrible looking punched hole is how they make the hole for the wire pass-thru?

And then, what holds the antenna base is just adhesive?

I hope I'm wrong.

 

[smokinjoe64]

Well, 4 weeks into ownership and I notice the antenna mount is loose. Dealership says it has been hit or taken thru a car wash....which I've never done. Happened somewhere ??? prior to me picking it up. So, damage to the roof dictates full removal and replacement with a new antenna. They say they can bend the metal back down such that the new antenna will fit and attach. We'll see. At least they are stepping up and taking responsibility.

Can't take it thru a car wash?? Researching this, it appears they say you must remove the antenna prior to going thru a car wash. Just can't believe it would do this type of damage. I see alot of folks have gone to a stubby antenna, which sounds like a good idea.

My take & experience...
Automatic 100% Touchless washers work great, prevent contact damage along with eliminating swirl marks from 'dirty brushes' inherent to typical car washers.

For heavier mud and such, pressure wash first, then run through Touchless wash. Works great, safe, easy and virtually 'risk & spot free'.

Since my RR exterior is fully ceramic coated, dry 99% with compressed air...looks practically new again without concerns as noted.

At facility pictured below, option for both 100% Touchless and brush wash available...

 

[rmcobb]

Hold on, that terrible looking punched hole is how they make the hole for the wire pass-thru?

And then, what holds the antenna base is just adhesive?

I hope I'm wrong.

You're right in that the hole is the pass thru for the wires, but the way they explained it to me is that the antenna has a clamp feature that they do from the inside (they drop the headliner to attach). Don't think there is any adhesive involved. They said my antenna cannot be reused and will require a new antenna. The issue is that the metal, once flattened back down, will it still be strong enough to hold it down tight enough. The body shop will be making this determination. Fingers crossed!

 

[superj]

we have one touchless carwash near my house. i had to google and ask around because a bunch are listed as touchless, but are not actually.

i think i will just stick with washing mine at the self wash place, like back in the old days

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

I have taken mine thru our touchless one a half dozen times. No damage other than the spray jets don't get the side steps 100% clean.

 

[ZilWin]

How does the antenna come out? does it unscrew from the base mount?

 

[Fawnbuster]

After all these years you would think Ford would leave the whale tail alone but move the radio antenna elsewhere. My Durango had a whale tail but the antenna was wired into the hatch back glass.

I don't know what would be stronger, leaving the flimsy metal roof but add a reinforcement plate under that area or inject foam at the factory to stiffen it up a bit. Gotta be a happy medium...

 

[Awirez]

I've cut much better holes doing field electrical work back in the day with a simple hole punch kit. 🫣

 

[superj]

it was probably a round hole but the nut that holds it down probably had a star lock washer under it that did that damage.

i think a doubler plate under the skin would help alot, like @Fawnbuster mentioned.

but, i also don;t know why everyone keeps going to these shark fin deals for the radio/gps. put the radio in the glass and the gps somewhere else and get rid of hte parasitic drag caused by the stuff mounted to hte exterior and make the truck look more sleek

 

[White willy]

You're right in that the hole is the pass thru for the wires, but the way they explained it to me is that the antenna has a clamp feature that they do from the inside (they drop the headliner to attach). Don't think there is any adhesive involved. They said my antenna cannot be reused and will require a new antenna. The issue is that the metal, once flattened back down, will it still be strong enough to hold it down tight enough. The body shop will be making this determination. Fingers crossed!

The Dealer where I Bought mine ripped mine off at delivery…They ran it through their own car wash for my pre delivery……
Needles to say they sent it to a body shop to repair It.
I was told it cost them over 1800 dollars for the repair,
It makes me wonder what my cost would have been,being John’s public….

 

[dew34]

I run my RR through a car wash at least once a week for close to a year now I always unscrew the little antenna before going through the car wash . that's crazy if the car wash did that !!!!

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