Old Aerial is stuck fast!

[Luke1Fisher]

Hi all,

Got my mangowalk stubby in the post today, but I can't get the old Aerial off! As I'm starting to twist it real hard, the base starts to move as well (which makes me rather nervous)

Please help!
Luke

 

[csm180]

Try wd40 up into the thread. Don't forget to place a rag uround the base to stop paint work spoiling. Consider a set of pliers gripping the base through another rag to minimise the twisting to the lower part. Best of luck.

 

[welsh_Z]

Get ready to order your new £13 base from BMW.. It's going to snap!

 

[RubyBlueZ4MC]

I had the same problem so embraced the whip because I'm too lazy to try harder to get it off.

 

[Lew Shaw]

Try the suggestion by csm180 and strangely enough, try to tighten it slightly, before loosening (righty-tighty, lefty-loosy) to break the adhesion. If that doesn't work, take a cutting disc on a Dremel tool and split open the bottom of the antenna (put a piece of wood or metal between the antenna and your fender just in case you slip!). Once it splits open, you should be able to unscrew it easily. Good luck!
Lew

 

[Anonymous]

Don't twist it any more if the base has moved! The base is keyed into the arch with a square plug in a square hole with a corner shaved off to locate it. Pull the carpet out of the way in the boot, stick an allen key/torx bit(I forget what kind it is) in the screw hold tight and then twist the whip. Should come off without the need for a new base

 

[Ewazix]

You could try heating the base gently with a WARM air gun or hair dryer,

but if it won't move it's Gods way of telling you that the whip should stay

 

[domsz4]

I had the same problem so embraced the whip because I'm too lazy to try harder to get it off.

ding dong! sure you want to admit to embracing the whip :lol:

 

[sk93]

Get ready to order your new £13 base from BMW.. It's going to snap!

this.

 

[LukeMace]

Try wd40 up into the thread. Don't forget to place a rag uround the base to stop paint work spoiling. Consider a set of pliers gripping the base through another rag to minimise the twisting to the lower part. Best of luck.

This is what i had to do to get mine off... Just be carefull when it releases that you done keep opposing pressure on and break it in the opposite direction! :lol:

 

[Lightning87]

same problem mine snaped also, got my self a new base, and in the end an new whippy because of the bad reception.

 

[ekimj10]

I've tried everything I could find on the forum to remove the whip. Finally resorted to mole grips (with a piece of cut hose pipe to protect the base of the whip) and it looks as though it was unscrewing from the base. Did not have the courage to keep unscrewing as I suspect its the aerial plastic covering that rotating, shards of black plastic were coming from under the bottom of the aerial.

Screwed it back down again and reception is still OK.

I'm thinking the only recourse now is cut away the base of the aerial with Stanley knife, expose the metal part under the plastic and unscrew whatever is left with molegrips. It seems a bit drastic, the arial will be scrapped and, having read earlier the base may start to turn I'm undecided whether to carry on.

I'm OK with whip but bought a stubby (OEM) as I didn't want to cut a hole in the indoor cover I've just bought.

Anyone ever had something like this? could really do with knowing what the aerial base is like under the outer sheathing.

 

[cj10jeeper]

I've tried everything I could find on the forum to remove the whip. Finally resorted to mole grips (with a piece of cut hose pipe to protect the base of the whip) and it looks as though it was unscrewing from the base. Did not have the courage to keep unscrewing as I suspect its the aerial plastic covering that rotating, shards of black plastic were coming from under the bottom of the aerial.

Screwed it back down again and reception is still OK.

I'm thinking the only recourse now is cut away the base of the aerial with Stanley knife, expose the metal part under the plastic and unscrew whatever is left with molegrips. It seems a bit drastic, the arial will be scrapped and, having read earlier the base may start to turn I'm undecided whether to carry on.

I'm OK with whip but bought a stubby (OEM) as I didn't want to cut a hole in the indoor cover I've just bought.

Anyone ever had something like this? could really do with knowing what the aerial base is like under the outer sheathing.

I'd not make any attempt to cut away plastic and frankly the brass threaded connector will be so corroded it will shear off or as you seem to have just spin in the aerial.
I'd take the base off the car given the risk of slipping and taking chunks out of the wing. Just buy a new base and screw the stubby to it. If you ever revert to stock just put the whole unit back.

 

[Dangerous-Dave]

Take the boot lining out of the left side to get access to the aerial fixing point (there is. Manner of other gibbons in there too) WD40 and then stick the molies on and turn the whip.

 

[ekimj10]

Many thanks for all your help, I'll have a go and if the worst comes buy/fit anew base.

 

[Hunter]

Ive had 3 Z4s and everyone of them has had the antenna snap when taking off the whip...the base can be a bit fiddly to put back on.

 

[Z4 - Kev]

Found this old Forum thread as I've got a stubby to fit.

My old whippy aerial has snapped off

Anyone know the BMW part number for the threaded base piece please?

Cheers,
Kev.

 

[hughmungus]

You will just need the base realoem has it as http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part?id=BU32-EUR-04-2006-E85-BMW-Z4_25si&mg=65&sg=30&diagId=65_1202&q=65206913897

Easy to fit just be careful not to damage the signal box under the wing were the aerial base goes into.

 

[Z4 - Kev]

You will just need the base realoem has it as http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part?id=BU32-EUR-04-2006-E85-BMW-Z4_25si&mg=65&sg=30&diagId=65_1202&q=65206913897

Easy to fit just be careful not to damage the signal box under the wing were the aerial base goes into.

Thank you.
I'll order one tomorrow