Help! Can't get the chrome nut off my antenna to replace the mast!

[John Hubertz]

1995 C220, electric antenna in rear quarter panel.

When I use my 13mm wrench to loosen the external chrome nut (the one with a hole in the middle that secures the mast in place) it just spins - doesn't come out of the fender trim piece at all. I tried holding the little plastic collar just below the nut with a pair of needle-nose, but it just spins and stays in place.

I reached around into the fender and can grip the antenna body itself, but again - no movement of the nut, it just spins and spins.

I'm out of thoughts on this one. Anybody have any ideas?

[adamb]

John,

Fairly recently I refitted the Hirschmann aerial on the 116. Spinning is prevented by a metal toothed bracket underneath. I can't imagine why your 220 would be that much different. Can you reach underneath and hold it in-situ while trying to undo the nut?

Adam

[John Hubertz]

I'll try again if today's repair doesn't work.

I roughed up the broken tip of the stainless mast and used epoxy to glue a nifty little rubber plug I found onto the tip.  Looks nice so far - let's see if it holds up to the constant cycling though.