An annoying car problem...

[sted]

just buy a new base and ariel. If its like most cars ive seen take the courtesy light out and theres the bolt for the base or at least take it off before you start drillling dont want to slip and scratch the roof really

[amyr]

the problem is it's at the back above the boot, so fit a new one will have to strip pretty much the whole of the headlining and trim. have contemplated a glass mount replacement but not sure how good it would be?

[mossj]

If you drill the bolt out, then the thread will be damaged. If you drill all the thread out you can cut (technically "tap") a new one in, but it will be (at least) a half size larger.

 

Yup you would have to go shopping for a aerial to fit your new hole

[Andrew_C]

Yup you would have to go shopping for a aerial to fit your new hole

¿Only a new bolt, surely?

 

You can join RF cable, so if you do have to replace the aerial completely, no need to change all the cable. You could use a TV aerial plug & socket somewhere in the boot area.

[Chris_in_notts]

¿Only a new bolt, surely?

 

You can join RF cable, so if you do have to replace the aerial completely, no need to change all the cable. You could use a TV aerial plug & socket somewhere in the boot area.

 

 

This is the best idea, with the boot open pull the headling down at the back just enough to undo the bolt which wont be hard, then cut the wire off the aerial as close to the base as possible to give you the most amount of cable. Buy a male and female tv aerial adaptor and attach your new aerial leaving the adaptor in the roof space, Job Done

 

Failing that drill a hole in it, bend an old coat hanger into an amusing shape and stick it in the hole!

Edited June 24, 2009 by Chris_in_notts

[Sirbendy]

http://www.astraownersclub.com/documents/technical/aerial.pdf

 

Guide for the mk4...apparently the mk5 isn't far removed from that.

[Andrew_C]

Guide for the mk4...apparently the mk5 isn't far removed from that.

 

They don't like "hot Linking"!

[amyr]

try 6-Piece Damaged Screw and Bolt Remover > Maplin

 

as this set has a 2mm bit

 

see http://images.maplin.co.uk/full/n18cx.jpg for a bigger picture

 

popped into maplins on way home and looked at this, looks like it should do the job so i purchased it. looks like it will be me and boyfriend sorting it out as my dad's now working weekend (so it won't be welded lol)

 

if all else fails we'll be replacing the aerial will let you all know how it goes

 

thanks for all the suggestions guys...this site is mine of useful information

[Sirbendy]

They don't like "hot Linking"!

 

odd..works fine for me here...

[Andrew_C]

odd..works fine for me here...

Takes me to Hotlinking is STEALING!!!

[witch]

Takes me to Hotlinking is STEALING!!!

 

Me too

[Sirbendy]

ooh. Are you using IE? I'm using FF and get no such thing..

[Andrew_C]

ooh. Are you using IE? I'm using FF and get no such thing..

Nope; FF here too.

[michael2k6]

So did it work?

I've come across similar problems but usually bolts stuck in engine blocks. Different to tiny screws being an issue, but i have always drilled it out and retapped it or welded a nut onto the end of it and wound it out like that. Can't really do either with a screw because you cant weld a nut to the end of it, and you cant really drill it, because, as has been said the new hole when tapped will be slightly bigger and the aerial wont fit.

(the bolt is part of the aerial so you can't just make it bigger).

 

Hope you get it fixeD!