Today I replaced my broken aerial that the hooligans snapped off last month. I’m going to tell you how...
I ordered a new one off ebay, with postage, it came to £12 I think, I decided to get a retractable one, so at least it wouldn’t be targeted again.
If you are not confident, take your time and gather all your screwdrivers and wrenches first. Any trips to A+E are not my problem, sorry.
It took me 4 hours, 3 bloody knuckles, and 2 dirty hands, without guidance, so with this guide you are half way there. Good luck!
First of all, pop the hood, disconnect the battery negative, advisable if you’re doing anything electrical as you don’t want to blow any fuses accidently.
First unscrew and take off the left hand side fascia plate, which sits at the base of your windscreen wipers, followed by your ventilation intake box, be careful as all your screws and bolts are plastic and easy to round off. While doing this I got my hoover and sucked up all the leaves that had been laying there for 16 years, it was messy, be careful none of the leaves fall in the intake hole pictured.
You will have something looking like this...
After this, get in the car; remove your radio, then the lower, passenger glove box. At this point you will be able to see where the aerial runs through the dash, make note of this, but do not remove yet.
It will look like this...
With the bonnet still up, chock the back wheels (I didn’t, but you should because it’s safer!!!), break the lock on the front/left, wheel nuts, and then jack up the front/passenger side. Remove the wheel completely.
Next remove any arches, mud flaps you have, then the wheel arch liner (I only removed the rear of the arch as I could slide it out and it gave me enough access to get under the wing).
It should be looking something like this...
When your done grab your wrench, and find the right sized head. Use it to remove the retaining bracket that is held on under the wing. Note its sitting, and then slide it down and off the aerial mast.
Now grab your aerial and trace the thin wire that runs up and then bolts on the under side of the bonnet, this is your earthing point! Do your best to remove it from the vehicle, or do what I did and cut the strip, its a tricky one to just unbolt/feed through the wing.
When you have this done, feed your old aerial lead through the dash, out through the engine bay and then through the wing.
Now you want to remove the old aerial mast by gently pulling it down, give it a wiggle to help the effort. If it is stuck in the grommet (rubber plug) push the mast up to release the grommet from the wing, then wiggle it down and out.
The old aerial looked like this...
The new one looked almost the same, and came with a new grommet, and mounting bracket.
Now you’re going to hate me for this but...
Refitting is the reverse of removal, dont forget to earth the new one and reconnect the battery to make sure it all works before putting everything back together.
