antenna mount replacement

icecoldtexan · October 4, 2006

Car wash broke antenna mount - I removed dash and removed antenna mount with the 10 inches or so of cable attached to it. I installed new antenna mount and snaked the new cable through the passenger side hole into the dash compartment and connected it to the radio cable. All of this was no problem....the problem I am having is I cant get the grommet that it molded onto the cable to squeeze into the hole, I can't get much leverage on it due to the location, just under the hood hinge behind the fender on the passenger side. Tried to press on it with screw driver, tried to lube it, nothing works...anyone know the trick to this. looks like the fender would have to come off to get better access to it. it's hard for me to sleep at night knowing that grommet isn't in the hole like it's supposed to be.

Thanks,

Perry

2001 silverado 2500hd

BowTieDude · October 4, 2006

Car wash broke antenna mount - I removed dash and removed antenna mount with the 10 inches or so of cable attached to it. I installed new antenna mount and snaked the new cable through the passenger side hole into the dash compartment and connected it to the radio cable. All of this was no problem....the problem I am having is I cant get the grommet that it molded onto the cable to squeeze into the hole, I can't get much leverage on it due to the location, just under the hood hinge behind the fender on the passenger side. Tried to press on it with screw driver, tried to lube it, nothing works...anyone know the trick to this. looks like the fender would have to come off to get better access to it. it's hard for me to sleep at night knowing that grommet isn't in the hole like it's supposed to be.
Thanks,

Perry

2001 silverado 2500hd

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had to replace mine to when I bought my truck. I never was able to get the grommet all the way in. I tried what you did as well, I oiled it, used pliers, a screwdriver, got nothing except for some nasty cuts on my wrists. Just said to heck with it, if it leaks, it leaks. No problems so far. I think I read on here one time that the service procedure the dealers reference actually says to remove the fender! I'd mount one ON the fender before i'd remove it!

By the way, did you have to get a new mast as well? The nub on the new mount was bigger than the old one and the dealer said that the computer called for replacing the mast at the same time. Also said that they should have sold me both the first time (had to make another trip for it).

icecoldtexan · October 6, 2006

I bought another mast when I bought the mount.

I just don't like not being able to get the grommet in place. No room under there for leverage.

I wonder how hard it is to take the fender off. Might give it a try.

I tried everything I could think of....I even cut a socket to fit over the coax to try to push the grommet in place. It just wont go without the leverage.

Where did you read about taking the fender off for this ?

Perry

BowTieDude · October 7, 2006

I bought another mast when I bought the mount.
I just don't like not being able to get the grommet in place. No room under there for leverage.

I wonder how hard it is to take the fender off. Might give it a try.

I tried everything I could think of....I even cut a socket to fit over the coax to try to push the grommet in place. It just wont go without the leverage.

Where did you read about taking the fender off for this ?

Perry

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It was someone on here that I remember saying that about the fender in one of the threads I read through before I replaced mine. It was either that they worked for a dealer or they had talked to a dealer about having them do the replacement, not sure now. I looked for the post but couldn't find it. It didn't give any details on removing the fender anyway, sorry.

One thing that I just thought of that *might* work, you could try removing the grommet from the cable and see if you could snap it in, then try fishing the cable back through it. Might not be feasible though.

GM-Tech · October 7, 2006

I think at least part of the problem is that when you attempt to push the grommet from the top side, the resistance from the size of the hole vs. the size of the grommet causes the grommet to bulge, making its diameter even larger.

I've never had to replace one of these but it seems to me that if you can pull the cable from the backside, that will stretch the grommet, making it's diameter less, not more like with the push from the topside method. Accessibility may be a problem with this method too.

icecoldtexan · October 8, 2006

I think at least part of the problem is that when you attempt to push the grommet from the top side, the resistance from the size of the hole vs. the size of the grommet causes the grommet to bulge, making its diameter even larger.

I've never had to replace one of these but it seems to me that if you can pull the cable from the backside, that will stretch the grommet, making it's diameter less, not more like with the push from the topside method. Accessibility may be a problem with this method too.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I did try pulling on the cable while I had the dash off but the cable is not attached/molded to the grommet and would slip through. The grommet is a very tight fit, which is good, but makes for a tough replacement.

Next time you have your hood up check out the location of the grommet where it goes through the wall, you'll see that you have to be triple jointed just to get your fingers on it.

I haven't looked into removing the fender yet...but I probably will just to get that darn grommet in. I guess I could smear a glop of silicone around the cable, but that would be a rig job and I don't like that.