C4 Corvette 1993 to 1996 Power Antenna Mast Removal & Installation Guide

This guide includes instructions on how to remove and install an antenna mast on any 1993 to 1996 Convertible Corvette equipped with a power antenna assembly.

Part 1: Power Antenna Mast Removal

STEP 1: Removing the Antenna’s Special Nut & Grommet

Start by removing the antenna’s special nut. To do this, turn the nut counter-clockwise when looking down at it. A socket wrench is the preferred tool to use when removing this special nut, however a pair of small needle nose pliers can also be used by sticking the nose of the pliers into the slits and turning counter-clockwise.

Next, remove the Grommet as illustrated in Figure 1 below.

STEP 2: Removing the Antenna Mast

Once the nut and grommet are removed, turn the radio on. As the mast begins or tries to come up, grab hold of it and assist it out as the power unit feeds the mast out.

NOTE: Remember which direction the teeth on the white cable are facing when it feeds out. The teeth will always face either toward the front or rear of the car. If you are not sure which way the teeth face, look at Figure 2 below.

Step 3: Completely Removing the Grounding / Retaining Sleeve

After pulling the old mast out, make sure that the outer grounding / retaining sleeve (shown below in Figure 3) has also come out.

If the old mast and the grounding / retaining sleeve have both been removed, then proceed to Part 2: Power Antenna Mast Installation.

If you can’t get the antenna mast out, the grounding / retaining sleeve is more than likely corroded to the top of the antenna storage tube. To remove the stuck mast, perform the following steps:

• Cut the largest mast tube 1 inch from the top of the longest section of the mast.
• Next, fill the hollow mast tube with a drill bit (or a solid metal cylinder) to prevent the tube from collapsing when applying a vise grip.
• Apply the vice grip to the section of tube filled with the drill bit (or solid metal cylinder).
• Proceed to hit the vice grip with a hammer until the antenna mast comes out.
• Once the old mast comes out, proceed to Part 2: Power Antenna Mast Installation.

Part 2: Power Antenna Mast Installation

Step 1: Comparing the Old & New Antenna Mast

Before installing the new mast, compare the length of the white cable on both masts. They must be the same length, do not cut the new antenna mast’s cable. If the lengths are not the same, there is likely a broken piece of white cable left in the power unit.

If the cable lengths DO NOT match, proceed with Step 2. If the cable lengths DO match, proceed with Step 3.

Step 2: Removing the Antenna Power Unit

Unfortunately, the white antenna cable can break off in the power unit which can prevent a replacement mast’s white cable from fully being pulled into the storage drum. To remove the piece of stray cable, the antenna power unit must be removed from the car. Refer to Figure 4 below for removal instructions.

Step 3: Removing the Stray Cable Piece

NOTE: This procedure is not difficult and only requires removing screws and bolts.

For a REAR MOUNTED ANTENNA, perform the following steps:

• Open the trunk and remove the power unit from the car (Refer to Figure 4 above for instructions.)
• Remove the cover from the power unit and there will be a circular drum.
• Pull the drum out and inside will be the piece of stray white cable. Remove it. NOTE: Nothing will spring out when removing the drum cover.
• Once the stray cable is removed, clean the grease out of the drum assembly and put some new wheel bearing grease in it.
• Reverse the above procedure and reinstall the power unit.

For a FRONT FENDER MOUNTED ANTENNA, perform the following steps:

• First, remove the Front Passenger Side / Right Hand Side tire from the car. 
• Under the front fender there will be a plastic shield. Remove it.
• Once the shield is removed, unbolt the antenna power unit from the chassis of the vehicle and let it hang while you work on it. 
• Next, remove the cover from the power unit and there will be a circular drum.
• Pull the drum out and inside will be the piece of stray white cable. Remove it. NOTE: Nothing will spring out when removing the drum cover.
• Once the stray cable is removed, clean the grease out of the drum assembly and put some new wheel bearing grease in it.
• Reverse the above procedure and reinstall the power unit.

Step 4: Installing the New Antenna Mast

Start by inserting the new antenna mast cable into the top of the power antenna tube. Make sure the teeth on the white cable are facing the appropriate direction.

NOTE: The teeth will always face either toward the front or rear of the car. If you are not sure which way the teeth face, look at Figure 2 above. The teeth must always face the main drive gear when the mast is inserted into the storage drum.

Next, turn the radio off and the power unit will begin to pull the new mast in. Guide the new antenna into the power unit. The power unit may not pull the new mast all the way in on the first try. If this is the case, install the grounding sleeve, grommet and special nut then turn the radio on and off a few times. This will eventually center the new antenna mast and it will successfully be installed in place.