Antenna Won't Retract

[cekkk]

We lived in the Eagle for several months during renovations on our new to us home. When are you closed it down the antenna would not retract. My wife climbed up on top, she's more the monkey than me, and saw no problems. Any ideas? And I admit I don't believe I ever lubricated it, although we used it for several Winters when we used to Winter over in the Phoenix area.

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by cekkk

We lived in the Eagle for several months during renovations on our new to us home. When are you closed it down the antenna would not retract. My wife climbed up on top, she's more the monkey than me, and saw no problems. Any ideas? And I admit I don't believe I ever lubricated it, although we used it for several Winters when we used to Winter over in the Phoenix area.

Is this the hand crank antenna mast? The one that's pretty clearly labeled "Lubricate gears twice a year"???


Check this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KATPS5bU0nY

Personally I don't think you have to be quite as thorough as the video. In fact, just did it myself yesterday. But be sure to use a silicone spray lubricant, not regular WD40. I used a WD40 silicone spray.



My thinking is that you may be OK just lubricating the base plate and the gears, without pulling the pins and extracting the vertical worm gear. But that's up to you. Doing the whole thing showed in the video took me about 15 minutes total.


If that's not your antenna, sorry to have wasted your time.


Good luck!


Roger

[cekkk]

Rkresge, yup, that's the one, ergo, my mea culpa with the " admittedly.". DW lubricated it thoroughly. But I am not positive that's the problem as it cranks down about a fourth of the way before stopping. Does that still sound like a lube problem?

And I'll look at the video now, thanks.

[cekkk]

okay, I've looked at that video. Very clear and concise. I'll get on that just as soon as I get the camper turned over on its side so that I can reach stuff.

[Grumpy]

Are you sure you have it centered and it's not hitting on one of the ears on the saddle that it settles into? Could also have debris in the worm gear.

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Are you sure you have it centered and it's not hitting on one of the ears on the saddle that it settles into? Could also have debris in the worm gear.

I agree - if it's not aligned correctly, you can't lower it the whole way. And there certainly could be some debris in the gears. Gotta check that.


Roger

[rkresge]

Originally Posted by cekkk

okay, I've looked at that video. Very clear and concise. I'll get on that just as soon as I get the camper turned over on its side so that I can reach stuff.

Hmmm... I haven't tried that approach, turning the camper on its side to work on the stuff up on top. Let me know how that works out!


Roger

[cekkk]

Debris might easily be the problem. Crazy frequent wind here in the desert. More like can't go up there, I have a worker who is here frequently. I'm sure he will do it and I will let you know how is that works out.

[JFlightRisk]

I'm relieved to hear your not gonna flip it on its side. I wouldn't want to be the one to explain the grass stains on the side!!!