Power antenna on a 280 SL

[blairwag]

Has anyone fitted an automatically retracting power antenna onto an SL?  Even with the old Becker Europa radio? Can it be done? Was it an option back in 70-71?

I'd like to consider installing one, but would liketo know of anyone else's experiences before entering into the unknown.

BTW, what does "NOS" mean in those EBay listings?


--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
William Blair Wagner: blairwag@earthlink.net
Education is not always knowing the answer,
...but rather knowing where to look for it!
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[n/a]

Well, as for the antenna I don't know

However the "NOS" abbreviation means New Old Stock.
In other words, New parts that someone has had for quite some time.

Michael Penner

[Naj ✝︎]

Hi, Blair,
Yes I have installed a BERU automatic in a 230sl.
The radio should have an antenna feed outlet wire so that it works with the radio switch.
The "MOST" important thing is to get the hole in the fender in the correct position. There is NO room for error!
Check the pagoda113 link in the'antenna install' post on this board. It has the 2 dimensions required for the fender hole.
naj

naj
'Kloines Scheisserle'
65 230SL
68 280SL

[blairwag]

Thanx Guys. on both counts. However, maybe I'm a dummy, but where is this link: "Check the pagoda113 link in the'antenna install' post on this board"???

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
William Blair Wagner: blairwag@earthlink.net
Education is not always knowing the answer,
...but rather knowing where to look for it!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[70chevelle]

I have a 70 280SL with a Becker Mexico and power antenna, which I believe is original to the car.  It concerned me the first time I turned on the radio and I heard four thumps.  I immediately turned off the radio to hear what was going on only to hear a four more thumps.  It was the power antenna.  I guess the limit switch for up/down is 4 cranks after full extension or retraction.

70 Chevelle 13.8 @ 98.4
70 280 SL Silver/Black top
99 C230 Kompressor
93 Dodge Dakota
99 Yamaha V-Star

[Naj ✝︎]

http://www.pagoda113.com/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=3846000021&f=2076001521&m=7786041521&r=9196006721#9196006721

naj

naj
'Kloines Scheisserle'
65 230SL
68 280SL

[Joe]

My car is a 230sl, and it has what appears to be the original Hirschmann antenna. It doesn't completely retract; the largest section doesn't move. I was oiling it and pulling and pushing last night, and now the second section only retracts halfway, while the lowest section still doesn't budge. I suspect I have caused that nylon cord to slip within the motor part. When I removed the kick panel, I can see the unit, but I can't see a way to remove the whole thing without the top being completely retracted. I'd like to remove the entire unit, open it, and try to fix whatever is wrong inside.
Advice is appreciated.
Joe

[Naj ✝︎]

Joe,
Not the best answer but you should be able to buy just a replacement mast it the worst scenario happens and you have to destroy the mast.
naj
p.s: if you have a helper you may be able to remove the antenna while someone on the outside guides it thru without damaging the paintwork. There is quite a lot of flex in the antenna when extended.

naj
'Kloines Scheisserle'
65 230SL
68 280SL

[W14]

Hi Joe,

I don't know how the Hirschmann works, but this may be worth trying: To change the mast in my Saab, you simply power on the antenna (to start extension cycle), and pull the mast with the nylon line right out of the antenna unit.  To re-install new mast, remove the power (to start the retraction cycle), and feed in the new mast.  It is supposed to take up any slack automatically after several cycles.

Will W14
1965 230SL 4spd
Victoria,BC

[Joe]

I'm a bit hesitant about pulling the entire cord out, since there is so much resistance to doing that.
The tube that is under the fender appears to be attached to the body of the Hirschmann unit with a hex-head screw. I loosened that, thinking perhaps it would separate there, but the tube refuses to turn. I didn't put a lot of persuasion on it, but didn't want to damage this tube.
Joe

[114015]

No, Joe & W14 (not W114 perhaps? :oops: ),

Pulling the extension mast is not a good idea in order to exchange it.
If you cant't get it retracting and coming out completely anymore by greasing you also might want to try with a little WD-40. Sometimes that helps.
Is you mast bent? If it is a little bit, it sometimes helps to try to bend it backwards. But carefully please.

If you want to take out/exchange the mast you need to take out the whole power antenna assembly first. This can be accessed either via the removed kickpanel or you need to take out this metal piece/flap/door which goes behind the front wheel house and covers the area where the power antenna sits.
Then you have to disassemble the whole antenna. Check for your type and try to find replacement parts either at Becker of North America (Ed Ebel in New Jersey) or Rainer Königs in Ratingen-Tiefenbroich, Germany or the like. I would first buy a new replacement mast before you 'destroy' the old one.
Exchanging the mast can be tricky but it is worth it. The older (and more original) the power antenna, the more worth is the trial.
Mine was an Auta 6000 F108 but I believe there are older types original for our Pagodas too.
Unfortunately, not many sources do know exactly about this.  The antenna which is visible in the link Naj should a few replies back is too young.


Good luck !


Achim
(Magdeburg, Germany)

[Joe]

I got the whole thing out today. I had to bend the bottom section a bit to get it out. I dismantled the power part and was unable to get the winder out. This is the part that spins and onto which the cord winds when retracting. It was an interesting job, because I was curious about how the thing works. On the other hand, I now think I'm facing a replacement of the entire thing. The one on hand is a Bosch, but the mast is a Hirschmann. I can't see how to replace just the mast part without replacing the bottom part, since the cord is apparently embedded in the top section.
Joe

[Naj ✝︎]

Hi, Achim,
Nice to see you on the board!
I have to disagree with you slightly. On the Pagoda, you cannot access the antenna by removing the splash guards (metal flap) if you can see it behind the kick panel. That area is completely enclosed. There is room behind the flap to fit maybe a manual antenna but I doubt there is room for an electric one!
Hope to see you here more regularly.
naj

naj
'Kloines Scheisserle'
65 230SL
68 280SL