Power Antenna Rebuild Repair! 1987 Grand National, G-Body, Turbo Regal

In this video I show how to access and remove the power antenna on a 1987 Grand National or other GM G-Body style car. I then show how to rebuild the antenna, reinstall it, and clean and repair the electrical terminals.
Parts:
Antenna Cable: www.kirbanperformance.com/prod...

[@byroneaton7545]

I have repaired many....some hints. Rivets, if you have a drill press, put a drill bit in a vise (pointing up) this will contact the back side of the rivet and keep it from spinning when you drill from the other side. * separate the motor and brush assembly from the housing and clean them. then install before the big gear. * Mast..once it is cleaned and sliding smoothly, screw in the bottom plug. then when you install the small mast section, use your original top finiel. * when the "J" hook is installed and the antenna in place, use a little oil on the cord and the felt washer this lubes the cord and the oil will spread around as you raise and lower the mast.

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thank you! I really appreciate the suggestions.

[@kungfupanda1334]

MSN...I finally got around to repairing my antenna this weekend. I followed your video every step of the way. Even the trick for the center rivet worked. I had the same issue with contacts, cleaned and re-seated in plug connectors. All worked perfectly, first time go. Thanks for putting this video together.

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thanks! I'm glad I was able to help!

[@stevencovington4715]

Your antenna has been replaced at least once before! The original antenna mount bracket was one piece, not two like the little ten mm head bolt by the rubber mount. I put painter's tape/ masking tape on the dooe in the area where the tools might contact. (Better safe than sorry) Also, I thought you had to loosen the 15 mm head bolt on the bottom of the fender. You could have retracted the antenna easily: Connect it electrically and turn the radio on and off. And on the Limited models and those with the WF6 wide body molding have to remove the front/ lower trim. I stuck a short piece of 2x4 to hold the fender open. You need to put di-electric grease on the terminals to reduce corrosion coming back; and put light weight oil on the mast reularly (that is probably why it failed in the first place: Lack of lubrication. VERY good video by the way!

[@bobcrow1462]

GN antenna change-out went smoothly thanks to this video. It was a switch-out because I couldn't figure out the limit switches in the old motor - weren't working properly - wrecked the new retracting cable. Can figure out that limit switch issue some other day. Everything is working now with the new antenna that I swapped in which is what really counts in the end.

[@charlieromeo7663]

Great job. Will tackle my 87 GN antenna very soon. Thanks for doing this video.

[@MakeStuffNation]

No problem. Thanks!

[@user-ng6yk2fn6k]

Very useful very helpful. Very very great. Save me lots of money.

[@MakeStuffNation]

Great to hear!

[@garyhickingbottom8285]

Awesome. This will save me about $300

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thanks. I hope your project goes well.

[@garyhickingbottom8285]

@@MakeStuffNation I'm deleting it since I know there's a gbody windshield with the antenna built in

[@andrewmartin2670]

I am about to do this my my 86 GN this weekend. Thanks for posting! I will follow all these steps.

[@MakeStuffNation]

Your welcome! I hope it helps!

[@frank500C]

This was perfect from start to finish, thanks!

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thanks!

[@bobcrow1462]

Appreciate the help. I've replaced several power antenna retracting cables on my 1986 and 1989 Trans Ams as well as my 1979 Corvette many times. Bought a GN in January - - - and here we are today... broken cable. I really needed to see the GN process done well! The GN is very different because you remove the metal "outside" fender - whereas with my Trans Ams, it's the "inner" plastic fenderwell that gets removed. The Corvette is easy peasy as you say - just drop the muffler, take it out and put it in. Well, let's see how I do with the GN...

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thanks! I hope it helps!

[@bobamato4052]

I looked at a few websites, eckler's, corvette central, zip-corvette, it seemssome have a stainless cable instead of nylon cable. They are a little more expensive but might cut down on a redo.

[@ralphloren9073]

Well done one of the best tutorials I've seen. Thanks

[@MakeStuffNation]

You're welcome!

[@MakeStuffNation]

You're welcome!

[@TommyZTrains]

What I used ta do (at the Dealership) is drill the rivets (just like you started to do), and LET THEM SPIN to gently "melt" them out, but leave the bottom RIVET alone. THEN: gently break the seal / LIFT, and "hinge" the halves apart once the cord holder spool clears the plastic bearing shaft. I.O.W.: "split the halves, and "articulate" the case to open, "do your business", and then reassemble the mast holes (those two rivet's), with standard 1/4" by 3/4" bolts and nuts, and reinstall the clips ... . (The "Spool's center rivet" is left alone). GREAT CLIP !!!

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thanks! That sounds like a good method too.

[@charlieromeo7663]

Have to do this for my 87 GN. I wonder if resqeezing the rivets with a punch would make them drillable?

[@soundsystem5686]

Great job , i love it , you done perfect job

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thank you!

[@dustintownsend7810]

Great video I just did one on the same exact car help so much

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thank you! Glad I was able to help

[@YODAMAN5]

LOVE YOUR DOG,THE CAT TOO....OH yea nice GN.

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thanks!

[@ajackson7387]

Thanks for information 👍🏾 no I have to go through mine really appreciate the info

[@MakeStuffNation]

You're welcome! Hope it helps!

[@MrRmh3481]

Thank You and Good Job.

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thank you!

[@twomontess]

Very informative. Thanks

[@MakeStuffNation]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ClockFixer]

What a job !

[@MakeStuffNation]

yeah, its kind of a pain in the a**. lol

[@andymantoronto]

Tiger Paw's on your GN? I'm struggling not to judge you harshly, because your video was so good and helpful I won't judge, but that car does deserve a better set of tires...lol Thanks for posting this video.

[@MakeStuffNation]

The previous owner had installed these tires. I replaced them shortly after this video.

[@GreenJip]

Great video. Thanks for taking the time to create and post. I followed this to replace an antenna mast on a 98 El Dorado. Everything works except the antenna stops 3 inches before retracting completely. Any advice or ideas?

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thanks! Glad it helped. Mine has been sticking a bit the last few weeks. I think I just need to disassemble and clean the inner workings again. There was a lot of crud in there and some more may have broken loose and be jamming things.

[@James-tj8to]

How did you get the bottom screw on the door frame off? You didn't show it. I opened the door all the way and there still wasn't enough room to get the screw out. There is just enough space to get the tool on the head of the screw let alone backing it out. Please advise

[@bobamato4052]

I have an 86 Pontiac Grand Prix, where I am the original owner< with the same issue. I was going to get a universal antennae until I found your video. Thank You for posting. Here is an idea for a new video. My blower does not work on high speed. Low and medium are fine. When I switch the lever to high, the blower stops.

[@MakeStuffNation]

I have the same problem with my blower. It's on my to-do list to investigate. Will try to make a video of it.

[@bobamato4052]

@@MakeStuffNation My power door locks don't work. I purchased new switches and replaced them and they still don't work. Do you have any ideas?

[@FranksModelAviationWorkshop]

That sounds like a blower motor resister gone bad. I’ve had two cars with that issue. I think the part costs like $29 from Rock Auto. Easy fix.

[@bobamato4052]

Lol, never mind. I shorted a fuse when I was checking a power window switch loose connection. I checked on a FB gbody garage group and was told it was a relay. The only way to get a relay is used or NOS on e bay but the guy wanted $180! I purchased a NOS with a different last digit on the model number on e bay for $40 installed and still didn't work. Put the old one back in. looked at the schematic and noticed that the door lock relay came off of the fuse box marked dome light. I replaced a 20 amp fuse and fixed my problem.

[@bobamato4052]

@@FranksModelAviationWorkshop where is the blower motor resistor? The blower motor does work on low and medium.

[@TheMethod44]

Thanks!

[@MakeStuffNation]

TheMethod44 you're welcome.

[@Turbogn87]

Great video, I need the 2 bracket pieces the screw to the mast that hold the antenna to the fender. You don't have a spare one do you??

[@MakeStuffNation]

Sorry, I don't have any. You could try Kirban Performance. They often have salvaged parts available if you call them.

[@HorsepowerTube]

Nice GN. I just got one myself. Out of curiosity, where are you from?

[@MakeStuffNation]

Thanks! I'm from Michigan but currently living in Mississippi.

[@FranksModelAviationWorkshop]

That was a very well made tutorial. Will that repair kit fit a 1984 Corvette? I’m assuming since it’s a GM vehicle in the mid 80s, it should. What say you?

[@bobamato4052]

it should. There are videos on youtube for a vette antennae repair

[@MakeStuffNation]

I'm not 100% sure but I think it probably would.

[@DentalFloss]

Would the cable linked in the description work on a 1985 Caprice?

[@MakeStuffNation]

I'm not sure. Probably. Most of the GM antennas used the same components.

[@johnsmith-un2mx]

i didnt know you could buy the cable setup from kirban, when mine broke i bought some 3/32nd cable and soldered it to the original antenna.....

[@MakeStuffNation]

Wow, that sounds like some fiddly work. Glad I was able to help with some information. How did your fix work / hold up?

[@bytor2112]

how long did this actually take, honestly. I'm scared to try and do mine myself.

[@MakeStuffNation]

It took me a full day. I think somebody could do it in an afternoon if they had all the parts available and have some experience removing that fender. Getting the old rivets drilled out of the motor assembly honestly took the most time (the wanted to spin real bad). That and getting the contacts cleaned when I hooked it back up for it to be powered.

[@royallison5412]

How did you get the bottom bolt by the door off?

[@MakeStuffNation]

Just had to keep working at it carefully with the thinnest wrench I had and use my fingers after it was loosened while adjusting how far the door was opened.

[@TheMethod44]

How many miles does your GN have?

[@MakeStuffNation]

TheMethod44 it has 55,240 miles on it.