Damn car wash
 

I normally wash my car by hand mainly because i take great joy in cleaning her. But a freind of mine tells me, go to this gas staion, fill her up and get a fre car wash. I was hesitant at first, but hey why not . . .gas and a wash. I take her there, and its a machine wash at a 76 gas station. Don't like the idea but i try it anyways. i run her through and sit there worrying bout every bump and noise along with the music from the radio. When it finishes, i drive out and nothice my power antenna bent all the way back. i quickly run out to see the damage. Bend it back and now it doesnt completely retract. I think i can probably just try and fix it, but it sits uneasy in the back of my mind that my antenna has been bent once. How much would a new one cost? Anyone know??

I looked into a new one a while back, and I want to say something like $60, but I could be wrong.

I guess we (you) know why there is a big sign at all autowashers that says they (they washer people) are not responsible for damaged mirrors or antennas. Did it just not occur to you that the brushes could damage your antenna?

What Jacksonpt said...

As far as replacement goes, you can get a new mast at your local toyota dealer. It was $47 for me. Since your gear isn't broken, you can simply remove the mast and install the new one w/o removing the motor (PITA). Should take all of 5 minutes. Compare the gears to be sure there aren't any broken parts in the mech.

To remove old mast, remove spanner nut on top of antenna mech at fender level. Turn on radio, watch mast come flying out. If it doesn't come out all the way, pull it out. To install new antenna, insert plastic gear of mast into mech with teeth facing towards the back of the truck as far as it will go. Turn radio off and guide mast into hold. Replace nut.

Chris

Before i knew about being able to change just the mast. I went out and bought a whole new assebley for about $100, and that wasnt installed.

Me too...
 

My wife ruined mine the same way. We've been without an antenna for a good 5 months. I'm going to do the S2000 antenna mod when I get a chance. There is a thread here somewhere about it.

Thread
 

Here's the thread...

mojojojo,

did u happen to go to the Shell station on Irvine and Jamboree?
Ive been to that one, but my antenna is gone so it wasnt an issue.

-Casey

that's why my 4runner has NEVER been to a gas station car wash, i've washed it by hand, but lately i've been taking it to a detailing place and they do it once a month.

the shell at culver and michaelson in irvine is a good one.

jacksonpt . . . I forgot my antenna was up man. Didn't notice till it was too late.

I've never been to that car wash. I'm right by there, maybe i should try it out once, and no, i went to one in anahiem cuz i was visiting a friend and need gas. He told me go buy gas and get a free wash. wasnt worth it

and Casey, wat happened to your antenna? Drove too fast and it blew off??

hahahahaha ya you know me, my 2.7L 5spd w/3.727 gears and 31" tires really rips it up in the speed department!:confused: :D

no actually i took it out because it was making a really annoying grinding sound and i tried to feed it through the motor again but to no avail. so i just took it out and covered the hole.

-Casey

Well, I haven't had an attena break on me, but I had my alignment get thrown WAY off after they loaded into their guides. my steering wheel vibrated like crazy on the highway. Good thing i have a lifetime balance/rotation/alignment.....

Buddha

I think the best (but still not taht great) car wash in irvine is the one next to the jiffy lube on harvard and main. It's a hand car wash like the one on culver and michaelson, but I think they do a little better job.

Speaking of which, do you guys know any good detailers in OC that are not too expensive? My roommate really needs to get his truck detailed. I got my truck detailed at the shell gas station and they did a really good job, but it was beyond expensive.