Radio Mast - Help

[ng4xjs]

As you have probably gathered I'm new to the X150 (and still encountering some teething issues with lack of knowledge). Today being a good example. Unlike my XJS, when I reverse into my garage without turning the radio off the mast connects with the overhead garage door. Long story short I've bent the mast. I did what I thought was the obvious thing and bent it straight. It does now retract most of the way one section sits proud! My question is; Is the mast a replaceable item? And I would be extremely grateful if I could get sight of the relevant part of the manual for the electric Ariel and mast removal and replace. I'm thinking the "Haynes" option is the way to go?

Any help greatly appreciated.
Nick

[Astromorg]

This should be a straightforward repair without need for a Haynes manual, which is just as well as there isn't one!

For a simply bent mast, the fix is to replace only the mast itself. New ones are available online such as this one:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141709283204 ... R-SAhOWYYw

To get the old one out, with the mast as retracted as possible, remove the external, special chromed securing nut. Then turn on the radio to extend the mast. Once fully extended it should continue to come out complete with its nylon toothed cord until the whole assembly is out. As it comes out note the relative position of the teeth. Check the length of the old with the new to confirm all the old assembly is out. Take the new mast and feed its nylon cord in to match the alignment of the original as far as possible. Then turn the radio off and the antenna motor should pull the new mast in until it's fully retracted. Replace the chrome nut and do a final check that it operates properly.

I had the same problem as you with the mast catching the garage door and solved it by removing the chrome knob on the end of the mast, cutting two or three inches off the final section, re-threading the new end and replacing the knob.

[ng4xjs]

Many thanks Astromorg - I did earlier order up a replacement mast (indeed from the very Company you identified above). My issue is that unlike the XK8 and earlier incarnation XJS the X150 has a collar/sleeve arrangement sitting on top of the wing were the aerial mast exits through. This needs to be removed in order to reach the mast securing nut. Was just wondering whether anyone had encountered and resolved this issue? I'm thinking that the easiest way of doing this is to dismount the complete assembly from the car by undoing the two bolts (from inside bumper cover) and lifting it free. I'll update this post when my replacement mast arrives.

The Haynes manual that I was referring to is in the "Autofix" catalogue

https://autofix.haynes.com/site/secure/ ... /102000449

Really haven't decided which way to go but will need to do something very quickly as also have a rear parking sensor to replace. It does seem that a number of universally straightforward repair/maintenance procedures are over complicated on this particular (removing the whole rear bumper cover just to do the sensor!!) model range.

Nick

[Astromorg]

There are two ways of dealing with the plastic sleeve. It's just a push-in fit and can be removed by rocking it and pulling up. Plastic trim removal tools can help. There's a rubber grommet/gasket between it and the bodywork. When the sleeve is out, the usual mast replacement process applies, starting with the chromed nut in the recess.

The alternative approach is to remove the antenna motor drive assembly and just pull the whole assembly down and out of the plastic sleeve, leaving the sleeve undisturbed.

If you want any technical info in respect of your XK, if you pm me with an email address I can send you a complete workshop manual and the full set of electrical diagrams. That would probably help with both the antenna motor removal and the rear bumper cover removal.

[ng4xjs]

Many thanks and appreciated. I've pm'd you.

Nick

[ng4xjs]

Job done. In the end, string wrapped around base and pulled tight was enough to give enough to release it. Fairly liquid (other detergents available) helped the reinstall. Just need to remember to lower the aerial before putting the car in the garage.