1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Repairing broken antenna?

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by Mejarrett9, Jun 7, 2017.

  1. Jun 7, 2017 at 5:32 PM
    #1
    Mejarrett9

    Mejarrett9 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2017
    Member:
    #7569
    Messages:
    121
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    16 Crewmax 1794 super white
    More on the way
    Hey guys, got a question. The other day I took my car to a car wash and asked the kids to take off the antenna. He waved and said your good to go. I pulled through the car wash and low and behold my antenna gets snapped off. I examine the situation and it looks like it snapped the bolt off about 2 threads from the top. Now I can't screw the bolt out and can't screw another antenna in obviously. How the hell do you get the broken bolt out?
     
  2. Jun 7, 2017 at 6:22 PM
    #2
    computeruser6

    computeruser6 Gott Mit Uns

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2015
    Member:
    #2216
    Messages:
    1,039
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dirk
    Escondido
    Vehicle:
    2008 Regular Cab Tundra
    King 2.5 coilovers Nitto Exo Grapplers
    I did something similar after forgetting to take my antenna off through some dense brush. I ended up having to replace the socket. It's not expensive, but it's really annoying to get at.
     
    gosolo likes this.
  3. Jun 7, 2017 at 6:26 PM
    #3
    computeruser6

    computeruser6 Gott Mit Uns

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2015
    Member:
    #2216
    Messages:
    1,039
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dirk
    Escondido
    Vehicle:
    2008 Regular Cab Tundra
    King 2.5 coilovers Nitto Exo Grapplers
    I had a similar problem after going off-road through some thick brush and forgetting to take my antenna off. I ended up replacingng the antenna. When you go to the dealer you'll need both a new antenna pole and the antenna which it screws into. Here are some pictures I have to illustrate what you'll need to do. Consider buying some spare fender clips.

    138966003.jpg 138966011.jpg 139066121.jpg 138899859.gif
     
    nk1794 and NewImprovedRon like this.
  4. Jun 17, 2017 at 5:09 PM
    #4
    clptex95

    clptex95 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2015
    Member:
    #2030
    Messages:
    10
    Gender:
    Male
    Just finished replacing mine, about two hours. You have to pull the fender well partially off. Took enough of the fender tabs out to fold it back over the wheel. You have a lot of stuff on the inside. Take the right passenger side lower dust panel off. Have to pull the door sill off first. Remove the nut at the bottom and them pull straight back, not out. Next take the lower panel off under the glove box. Take the right end of the dash board off ( to the right of the glove box.) Next take the bolts out and lower the airbag. (NOTE, DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE BATTERy CABLE ABOUT 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO DROPPING THE AIRBAG,)I was able to just let hang without disconnecting it. Next take the glove box out. Now take the panel off the pillar between the windshield and the door. Now2 you can unplug the cable, unscrew it from the pillar and begin removing the clips that hold it in place. I released some clips on a harness in front of the antenna wire to give me access to the antenna wire. The antenna clips were a little hard to get off. now push the rubber grommet to the fender wheel. Unscrew the antenna base (10 mm) and drop the antenna base out. Leave the bezel in place (rubber part on the exterior of the fender) Pull the wiring out into the fender wheel and reverse the process. Mine is a 2015 4x4 double cab.
     
    NewImprovedRon and gosolo like this.
  5. Jun 18, 2017 at 4:11 AM
    #5
    MT Madman

    MT Madman Just an ordinary guy

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2014
    Member:
    #148
    Messages:
    634
    Gender:
    Male
    Hawk Point MO
    Vehicle:
    2020 Silver Platinum
    TRD dual exhaust TRD Rear Sway Bar SnugTop Hi-Liner
    Complain to the car wash, tell 'em you want them to pay to replace it and take it to the dealer.
     
  6. Jun 18, 2017 at 4:52 AM
    #6
    Tomcat

    Tomcat Ever see a motorcycle outside a shrinks office?

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2017
    Member:
    #6309
    Messages:
    2,742
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2010 SR5 4X4 5.7 20" wheels Metallic Gray
    Bakflip
    The car wash most likely has a sign saying they are not responsible and will not pay.
     
  7. Jun 18, 2017 at 6:23 PM
    #7
    Mejarrett9

    Mejarrett9 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2017
    Member:
    #7569
    Messages:
    121
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Matt
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    16 Crewmax 1794 super white
    More on the way
    I specifically asked the employee to remove the antenna, he said it was fine. The car wash is paying the estimate from the dealership
     
  8. Jun 18, 2017 at 7:07 PM
    #8
    Randy Morton

    Randy Morton Life takes its toll, please have exact change.

    Joined:
    May 15, 2016
    Member:
    #3378
    Messages:
    1,582
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Randy
    Deepinahearta, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2012 Tundra Double Cab, Beta Variant (I call it my Land Yacht)
    A business can't bypass responsibility by putting up a sign. This is also true for shopping cart damage in a store parking lot and things that fall out of big trucks and rocks kicked up by their tires. Since the employee said it's fine, the insurance company will pay off without hesitation. Usually, the business will pay to keep from getting insurance involved.
     
  9. Jun 18, 2017 at 8:25 PM
    #9
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2015
    Member:
    #2064
    Messages:
    7,906
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ray
    NW Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2015 DC Super Fine Super White Pro
    2"CB shackles, bushings and 1 shim, lockerdown console vault, rear folding seat back mod, snugtop shell with opening side windows, 46g fuel tank, SDHQ sliders and hidden winch, Decked Drawers, Alcan leaf springs and got rid of the interior chrome
    This is a really good write up. I wish something like this had been available when I broke mine off about 2 years ago.
    I hope the moderators can place this where it is easy to find!
     
  10. Dec 9, 2018 at 4:09 PM
    #10
    jdg1982

    jdg1982 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2016
    Member:
    #4632
    Messages:
    368
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    New Roads, LA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Magnetic Gray Tundra SR5 4x4
    T-Rex266, 4X4Runner, or any other Mod..

    Could we have this added to the DIY/Tutorial section? I’ve been searching for a few days for a solution to replace the Antenna Assembly and this is the best written explanation that I’ve seen. Oh and changing out a broken antenna assembly is a huge PITA. :)
     
  11. Sep 6, 2019 at 1:02 PM
    #11
    Bigfrigginal

    Bigfrigginal New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2019
    Member:
    #35727
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    I was able to get the broken screw in base part out of the base in about 5 min.Drilled into it enough to create a small gap.took my eye glass repair screw driver and was able to unscrew it out.lots of good info here on the site!
     
  12. Sep 6, 2019 at 1:15 PM
    #12
    Yakattack

    Yakattack New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2019
    Member:
    #33006
    Messages:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    This
    Happened to me at a carwash, they forgot to take antenna off, snapped it. I went to the manager and they ordered the part and dealer replaced it at expense of car wash. He did not give me any issues. They were at fault.
     
  13. Jul 26, 2020 at 11:18 AM
    #13
    605John

    605John New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2020
    Member:
    #49891
    Messages:
    5
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 Crewmax
    I know it’s been a long while since the original question was asked but since I believe broken antennas are an ongoing problem, I wanted to contribute what I found to be very helpful. The antenna on my 2013 Tundra got snapped off in the car wash so I went to Harbor Freight and bought a set of left-handed drill bits (yes, these actually exist) for less than $8. I used the 9/64” bit and drilled into the broken antenna stud from the top. Because of the left-handed twist of the drill bit, as the bit drilled into the stud it also rotated the broken stud out of the base. It took less than 30 seconds. I hope this helps others.
     
    08TXTundra, MT Madman, gosolo and 3 others like this.

Products Discussed in

To Top