New electric antenna mast noise

[Staruser]

I replaced the antenna mast on my 1994 Subaru Legacy LS and now it's making clicking sounds whenever it goes up or down. Is there a way to stop the clicking?

[gbhrps]

Staruser,

 

Typically those old power antenna units utilize a timer and a spring clutch. When either fully up or down, the clutch then clicks/slips a cog, until the motor timer times out and turns off the 12 volts to the motor. Its normal, but if you installed a shorter mast than original, then it'll reach full up or down sooner, making the timer run the motor longer, hence the clicking as the clutch slips to keep from ruining the motor.

 

Either that, or you may have a piece of the old mast geared nylon whip still inside the clutch case, and the new geared whip isn't being moved up or down as smoothly and clicks. The clutch spring may also have lost some of its spring tension and is slipping, making the click.

 

I've repaired several of these units years ago on a71  Datsun 240Z, a 90 300ZX, and a 97 Subie OutBack and others. They really are easy to open up the case and remove the broken whip pieces (if there are any), regrease, and install a new mast, utilizing a remote 12 volt supply while out of the car.

 

Unless you are adventurous and like fiddling with things (like I do) I would suggest that you just live with the noise. If you find that the timer is just running too long, you could bypass its wiring and install a separate dash switch to power it up or down with a center off position.