Octavia A4's Antenna Rubber Crumbling.......

[Alveron2001]

Hi Guys.

 

HELP !!!! My Octy A4's antenna is crumbling... The rubber/plastic moulding that encases the base of the antenna has hardened and cracked. Now bits and pieces have fallen off.

 

I tried to unscrew it and hopefully have it replaced by some cheapo 3rd party type. But after unscrewing fully, I realised that there is a ball knob at the base that prevents the antenna mast fully coming out from the mounting on the car roof.

 

Sent my car in to Servo and asked for the replacement. But was told that it cannot be removed and must be sawed off at the screw thread part before it can be replaced with a 3rd party one. But reception might be poor.

 

So now my antenna has all the rubber bits fallen off and it is thin and looks like a metal spring....

 

Hoping that you guys here can have some idea on what I can do.....

 

 

Help ???

 

 

[Othello]

What must saw off at screw part ? Rubbish from servo again ? The antenna can be removed. Just yank it out ( I did before) The safety catch is to prevent theft. But you should be looking to replace the antenna base instead. Call up Xin Zhong & Kian Hua for pricing. However, replacing the base have to be from inside, thus roof lining have to be removed.

 

Estd Cost : Base $30, Labour another S$50.

 

Though they are right is saying reception form a 3rd party antenna can be (and most probably) be worse off.

 

 

[Alveron2001]

What must saw off at screw part ? Rubbish from servo again ? The antenna can be removed. Just yank it out ( I did before) The safety catch is to prevent theft. But you should be looking to replace the antenna base instead. Call up Xin Zhong & Kian Hua for pricing. However, replacing the base have to be from inside, thus roof lining have to be removed.

 

Estd Cost : Base $30, Labour another S$50.

 

Though they are right is saying reception form a 3rd party antenna can be (and most probably) be worse off.

 

I did try to remove it myself, but it feels like it's stuck on. I didn't dare to yank it out too hard. Didn't know there was a safety catch. Was hoping to just remove the antenna and screw on a replacement. Fast and easy.

 

Will yanking it out hard that damage to antenna base mount ?

 

Why do you suggest to change the antenna base ?

 

Peeling off the roof lining sounds really drastic. Afraid that it wouldn't be the same again after. Esp since it is the padded foam type. Last time I checked on replacing roof lining, it was about $300.

 

Thanks so much for usefull info. Maybe will try yanking it out hard. Hope it won't break the base unit.

Edited July 5, 2010 by Alveron2001

[Alveron2001]

Hi Bro Othello

 

 

Thanks so much for your kind advice. But unfortunately, it's wrong lah. I yank and yank, and it still wont come out. Any harder and the base will rip.

 

In the end I went searching around and decide to be brave and change the whole thing.

 

I bought the VW shark fin attenna, pulled open the panels at the rear ceiling and took out the whole anntenna base and replace with the new unit.

 

Now the whole thing looks much cooler and better. So happy now.

 

Anyone wants to do the same ? Believe this can be used on Polos, Golfs as well. Noticed quite a number of Skodas and VW Golfs & Polos with the same crumbling attenna as well.

 

Original Antenna Type

 

Replaced with this !!!

Edited August 13, 2010 by Alveron2001

[Othello]

well done there any issues with reception ?

[Alveron2001]

Haha late reply..

 

 

Reception has been the same all this while.

 

No issues.

 

 

 

[Moeykf]

bro, nice antenna. where to get this? please pm me contact. thanks.

[Tarquin]

yeah..same here..can PM to me too...

[Alveron2001]

 

It an original VW part. Costs about $80-160 ??? Cannot remember

 

Can be used for all the VW cars. Golf, Polo, Audi, Skoda Octavia, Superb.

 

You can Call up Xin Zhong & Kian Hua for pricing.

 

I can show you guys how to remove you old antenna and replace with new.

 

Cheers

[Moeykf]

ok thanks bro, please pm me your contact 98552277.

hope to get it changed next weekend.

[Jefflhlow]

Hey... Can I have this Xin Zhong & Kian Hua contact?

[SUPERB_ird]

The Superb has a Shark Fin + Bee Sting antenna combo.

 

http://www.cardekho.com/exterior-pictures/...-antenna-80.htm

 

Mine has the Shark Fin even though my HU is the Bolero (without GPS navigation function).

 

Looks funny to me that Skoda couldn't combine the radio and GPS antenna into one like what BMW and Merc do.

 

Having both makes it look ugly.