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Broken Antenna Stud Removal Solution

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by WildBoar, Nov 10, 2018.

  1. Nov 10, 2018 at 1:03 PM
    #1
    WildBoar

    WildBoar [OP] Retired Navy Sub Bomber

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    First off, I believe lazy people make the best inventors.

    And I am most definitely LAZY!! So...

    As I have read on a few posts here, I too got stupid and forgot to remove my OEM radio antenna before driving through the car wash. Yep... broke it off about 1/4" below the mount. Searched here for a fix and found a few posts illustrating how to access the mount from under the fender by removing a LOT of parts. Average repair time: 2 hrs.

    Decided there had to be an easier way. The following took 15 min. and I didn't have to pull ANY parts.

    TOOLS REQUIRED: 3/32 (.09375) drill bit
    1/16 (.0625) drill bit
    Cordless drill with a small enough chuck to hold the above bits
    Canned Air (as used to clean computer components)
    Super Glue

    PROCEDURE: Using the 3/32 bit, carefully drill a 1/4" deep hole in the center of the stud.
    Use canned air to blow debris out of the hole.
    Place a TINY drop of Super Glue on the tip of the 1/16 bit.

    CAUTION: Using too much glue could result in it getting on the threads... GAME OVER

    Insert the glued end of the 1/16 bit into the stud & wait for it to cure.
    If the stud is fairly loose (mine was) you should be able to simply twist it out by hand. If not, use pliers.

    Now I just have to find a new, reasonably priced, OEM stick somewhere.

    Hope this helps. Let me know!
     
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2018
  2. Nov 10, 2018 at 2:16 PM
    #2
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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  3. Nov 10, 2018 at 4:01 PM
    #3
    WildBoar

    WildBoar [OP] Retired Navy Sub Bomber

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    Foglight Mod, Running Boards, BackFlip Tonneau, AM Tow Mirrors, 1 Size Up Falken Off-Road Tires, Hitch Camera
    Thank you kindly gentlemen!:cheers:
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  4. Dec 21, 2018 at 4:30 PM
    #4
    JC303

    JC303 Same same but different

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    I’m trying this as I type. Thanks for the idea.
     
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2018
  5. Dec 21, 2018 at 4:35 PM
    #5
    lionix

    lionix The Grey Moose!

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    Thank you! Been trying to figure this out, I broke mine off.
     
    WildBoar[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  6. Dec 21, 2018 at 4:37 PM
    #6
    TokerJoker

    TokerJoker ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

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    Hero of the day!
     
    WildBoar[OP] likes this.
  7. Dec 21, 2018 at 4:49 PM
    #7
    WildBoar

    WildBoar [OP] Retired Navy Sub Bomber

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    Foglight Mod, Running Boards, BackFlip Tonneau, AM Tow Mirrors, 1 Size Up Falken Off-Road Tires, Hitch Camera
    Good luck Gents! Let me know how you fare.
     
    JC303 likes this.
  8. Dec 21, 2018 at 5:52 PM
    #8
    Adriver71x

    Adriver71x New Member

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    Great invention. Thanks
     
    WildBoar[OP] likes this.
  9. Jan 1, 2019 at 1:49 PM
    #9
    JC303

    JC303 Same same but different

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    I tried your method above but failed. User error. I would recommend more patience and less beer. I just bought the $40 part and replaced it.
     
  10. Jan 1, 2019 at 2:15 PM
    #10
    rebmo

    rebmo 2020 Crewmax Limited 4wd Silver/Black

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    Do the OEM antenna's just pull off if you need to remove? Sorry never tried, typically go to touchless car washes.
     
  11. Jan 1, 2019 at 2:42 PM
    #11
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    Unscrew. Mine is just hand tight. You may need to use a wrench just to break it loose.
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  12. Jan 1, 2019 at 4:55 PM
    #12
    WildBoar

    WildBoar [OP] Retired Navy Sub Bomber

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    Foglight Mod, Running Boards, BackFlip Tonneau, AM Tow Mirrors, 1 Size Up Falken Off-Road Tires, Hitch Camera
    :cheers: Surely thee jests? My work always looks a lot better after a few suds!
     
    15whtrd and JC303[QUOTED] like this.
  13. Jan 1, 2019 at 5:26 PM
    #13
    rebmo

    rebmo 2020 Crewmax Limited 4wd Silver/Black

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    Thanks for the quick tip!
     
    15whtrd[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. Feb 6, 2019 at 4:07 PM
    #14
    beachguy

    beachguy 2018 Trd off-road double cab

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    In keeping with the theme lazy is better...I just watched a genius at work. A local car wash broke off my antenna. Of course half of the stud was still threaded in the hole. I went back to the car wash manager who used two ‘dental picks’. I’ve seen similar picks at Princess Auto (similar to Harbor Freight). In less than two minutes he removed the broken stud out by simply turning the broken stud. He explained that Tundras are the easiest to do as they are not threaded in as tight as other manufacturers. Easy breezy.
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  15. Feb 13, 2019 at 4:19 AM
    #15
    Clay Grazer

    Clay Grazer New Member

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    I just went through a broken antenna stud removal. I just bought my truck used, 2017 5.7L Tundra, and the antenna was already broken off.
    The easiest way to remove the stud is to do what most machinists / mechanics would do.
    I used a sharp spring load punch to center punch the broken surface of the stud. I then used a 7/64" Left Hand drill bit to back the stud out. See the attached picture. This took only about 5 minutes to do. If the stud would have been stuck, I could have drilled a deeper hole in the stud and then used an easy out to back out the stud. Amazon has these kinds of bits and easy outs for very little money.
    LH Drill.jpg
     
    cnoyes72, NewImprovedRon and JC303 like this.
  16. Mar 21, 2019 at 12:29 PM
    #16
    LiftMeUp

    LiftMeUp New Member

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    I've got a '13 and of course broke off in carwash. Well I tried backing out with no luck and then sat on it for several months. So bought the 50 part, wiring from radio to the post under fender. Was going to do myself until looked at the specifics, remove dash, move air bag, etc. Nope. Took to dealership yesterday for some other maintenance and was going to have them do it. Well, they said oh we just drill them out, pretty straighforward but then came back and was like don't think we will be able to so the only option is to change the piece. $$$.

    Has anyone tried splicing? I cannot understand why the connection isn't right by the post under the fender well, why sell this continuous wiring that requires all the way back to the radio.
     
  17. Mar 21, 2019 at 6:54 PM
    #17
    JC303

    JC303 Same same but different

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    I did some similar research and ended up paying a Toyota shop 120 for labor after deciding I didn’t want to do it myself. After seeing a new one, I wish I would have drilled more. Keep drilling and don’t worry about ruining it if are going to replace it anyway. Good luck
     
  18. Mar 22, 2019 at 6:11 AM
    #18
    LiftMeUp

    LiftMeUp New Member

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    Yeah, gonna try and drill again this weekend. The dealership I tool it to this week wanted $213 plus tax. I can catch enough stations for the time being and keep that in my wallet. Gonna go to another dealer and see what they say.
     
    JC303[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. Mar 22, 2019 at 6:22 AM
    #19
    jdg1982

    jdg1982 New Member

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    Pull up IHeart Radio and stream through the radio. When my antenna broke, that's what I did for almost 6 months, until I finally ordered a new mast assembly and replaced it. It was a pita though.
     
  20. Mar 22, 2019 at 6:25 AM
    #20
    Clay Grazer

    Clay Grazer New Member

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    Fellow Tundranites, the secret to drilling the stud out is to use a 7/64" LEFT HAND drill bit, not a standard right hand drill bit. See my picture four posts above this one. The stud is only screwed in hand tight, so the LEFT HAND drill will back the stud right out. A LEFT HAND easy out will definitely remove the stud if it is screwed in tightly or stuck.

    I saw one post where a car wash owner used two dental picks to rotate the broken stud out of the antenna female threaded end. Sounds like the car wash owner had some experience in doing this.
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2019
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  21. Mar 22, 2019 at 1:11 PM
    #21
    LiftMeUp

    LiftMeUp New Member

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    Thanks for the info. Will definitely try this weekend!
     
  22. Mar 22, 2019 at 1:27 PM
    #22
    proROB

    proROB New Member

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    I dont even use it, took it off within 5 minutes of first bringing the truck home. I only use my phone or Sirius Radio to listen to music, so it was worthless and ugly. Whip antenna in 2019.....
     
  23. Mar 26, 2019 at 7:12 AM
    #23
    Clay Grazer

    Clay Grazer New Member

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    LiftMeUp, any success in backing the stud out?
     
  24. Mar 26, 2019 at 8:17 AM
    #24
    LiftMeUp

    LiftMeUp New Member

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    That was the plan for this weekend but things came up and wasn't home to give it a try but is definitely on the agenda for this weekend. Really hope I can.
     
  25. May 29, 2019 at 4:42 PM
    #25
    CROyota

    CROyota New Member

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    I just did mine, and took me 5 min. Luckily it was pretty loose inside. Drilled a little hole, and then changed the direction of the bit to the left hand side, slightly angled the bit so it has better grip while unscrewing the piece out.

    435D8C82-BC7D-4E21-9C48-04DFEDD7F682.jpg
    9D787260-7DBB-4A8D-876D-A2CC7314107F.jpg
    0A0EEB99-3971-417A-8D8C-0CDCE79B7A90.jpg
     
  26. May 29, 2019 at 4:58 PM
    #26
    bgdv1

    bgdv1 New Member

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    drill and an easy out, comes right out.
     
  27. May 30, 2019 at 5:44 AM
    #27
    LiftMeUp

    LiftMeUp New Member

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    We shall see. The dealership was going to charge $75 and didn't try cause they didn't think they could get it out and didn't want to charge the 75 for nothing.
     
  28. Aug 4, 2019 at 10:21 AM
    #28
    Alaska

    Alaska New Member

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    Lots of good posts here. I would definitely steer clear of using super glue, as the solution I used was super cheap and low risk. I used a 1/16" drill bit and drilled a small hole in the center. Then I blew the metal shards out of the hole with an air compressor... you can likely blow them out without a compressor or use a shop vac or vacuum cleaner. Then I used a small extractor (EX 1) made by Irwin. They had a set for $17 at my local hardware store and they'll come in handy at some point for other shop work. Here is a link (IRWIN HANSON FLUTE EXTRACTOR SET). I then placed the extractor in my 1/16" hole, reversed the direction of the drill and SLOWLY extracted the broken piece. All in all it took less than 5 minutes and I now have some extractors to remove stripped screws, bolts, or threaded pipes of various sizes. No doubt a reverse thread screw will work as well. Also, try just using small flat head or Phillips head screw driver before buying the flute extractors if you are on a budget. I bet it will work if you have a tool small enough to fit inside of the 1/16" hole.
     
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  29. Aug 8, 2019 at 1:03 PM
    #29
    LiftMeUp

    LiftMeUp New Member

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    I'm going to have to give it another go one day. Wasn't sure I could get enough pressure on the bit to make a hole.
     
  30. Mar 29, 2020 at 10:44 AM
    #30
    Fastzcar

    Fastzcar New Member

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    So mine broke off. Tried to drill it without a tap or left hand bit, still unable to get any traction moving it and I'm pretty sure I've fubar'ed it. :(

    Am I reading correctly that it runs all the way back to the head unit in one run?
     

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