57 power antenna

[Renato]

Hello

I'd like to ask you about 57 power antenna. I know it's a nightmare to rebuild it.  Maybe the worst part of the car. Is it possible to change the steel antenna which comes out from the fender? Mine leaned  so I can not repair. I have to change it. On my De Ville I tried to dissemble it (when I restored the power motor section), but can not figure out how.

Maybe it fixed? Thank you

[Renato]

I checked on Ebay the universal antennas. Do you know a good useable one? This is the one parts which I won't restore. If I can change the steel antenna I will use the original. No problem if not functional.

So I checked the universal antennas, but the tops (which on the fender) are different. If I have to choose this was must find a nice one or modify it to be invisible as the original was.

[Matt Innocenzi]

Renato,

They are not as much of a nightmare as you may think.  The power motor turns a gear that winds a nylon rope that is threaded within the steel mast.  If your mast is broken or bent, the nylon rope will not pull it down. 

I do not think a universal one will work for you as the escutcheon that goes on the top of the fender will not work.  Your best bet may be looking for a used one from a '57 Cadillac.  A '58 will probably work too.

Matt

[Renato]

Was a nightmare for me

I rebuild everything in the power antenna. I change the plastic bottom to metal gear. But finally does not work. Maybe the metal was too heavy or I do not know.

[cadillactim]

Renato

I rebuild a lot of Cadillac power antennas.  The 57 can be a nightmare at times, I agree.   Sometimes the bushing goes bad in the housing and binds the motor.

If you want you can send me your antenna, and I will check it out for you.  Even if the housing is bad, you can switch it over to a newer motor assembly.  Antenna would still mount on the fender the same, and be flush.

Any questions you can call me at 864-352-3306 (South Carolina).

Tim

[Renato]

Hi Tim,

Yes I rebuilt the bushes too, but was not a success story So now the problem is the antenna was out and sy almost brake it. Can i replace it or what can I do? See my pixcture. I made a red circle on it. It's not straight

You are very lovely, but I live in Hungary. I know was much more easier if sy restore parts in the USA, but the shipping costs are terrible. Heavy things. Mostly Cadillac has heavy things

Renato

[Renato]

pix

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

G'day Renato,

Looking at the picture, I think that the aerial would have been the least of your troubles.

Bruce.

PS.   Sorry, couldn't resist.   I do hope that this car is a parts car?

[Renato]

No. It's not so bad. And almost everything original. I made worse car so... I found the original owner who bought 67 (see his letter in restoration blog). He told me the frame has problem. I checked the floor and it's in good shape. Was a Dakota car.

But my question is the antenna now