Oh freakin great, another telescopic antenna question... I know I know, I did a search and saw a dozen of Das Schmoo's replys for replacing the mast, but I'm not sure I need a new one just yet...

When I got the car (96' GSR) the thing worked fine. It did make a bit of an ugly noise for a half-second when it would reach the retracted position, but it still worked. Recently it's been stopping about 6inches short of fully retracted when I turn off my stereo, and makes and even worse sound when it gets to this point and grinds against itself. It doesn't look broken or bent in any way, but obviously I can only see so much of it. I just want to get some opinions before I go torquing on the thing to see if anyone has had this same problem before. Does it just need some KY or gun oil?

Thanks

 

maybe some lithium grease on the bottom of the shaft( access from inside trunk/hatch)

 

Usually if it is seizing like that before it is going back in, it is putting unnecessary strain on the motor, grinding down the teeth on the feeder, or possibly breaking the feeder off in the motor.

A new antenna is so cheap, just replace it and don't risk further damage.

 

Do what I did..
unplug the antenna motor... that way the antenna always stays down, your car won't look like a RC Racer, and you won't have to listen to the shitty ass radio.
grab yurself some CDs, and yur set.