astra 1997 aerial replacement

any idea how to replace a broken astra 1997 aerial - not roof fitting
- its the rear side fitting.
How do I get to the aerial from the inside and any idea of the part
number so I can order.

If anyone has a scrapper could buy from them.

Thanks

 

Take the back light out - 4 x 8mm bolts and you will have a lot more room.

 

In message ,

So by removing the rear light fitting, you can get at the aerial fittings
without trying to remove all that trim in the boot?
That sounds a bit easier!

 

Through the tail light is the only way to do it with the power aerial

 

In message 45f82aaa$0$16268$,

Well, that sounds more straight forward than taking all the trim out. I'm
sure when I flicked through a friends Haynes book, it told me that I had to
take the trim out. Didn't mention the tail light...
Don't have the book to hand now mind, so I can't check.
Just to confirm, we ARE talking about the OLD shape aren't we? I believe it
changed during 1997. My Astra is the old 1997 shape.

 

IIRC you have to remove the trim with both types of aerial as you cannot get
to the fixings with it in place but you also have to remove the light if you
have the power aerial as it is to big to remove through the side.

If its just the standard aerial then it just the trim that has to be
removed.

 

The only hard bit is the little bolt - 6 or 7 mm - that holds the bracket
to the body but it can all be done through the light hole - same with hatch
back cavaliers

 

In message 45f9303f$0$16389$,

Bu**er!

I tried and failed to remove the trim. Couldn't work out where all the
screws were, after I'd taken out all the obvious ones, (and a couple of
slightly less obvious ones), it still seemed to be stuck fast. Maybe it just
unclips then(?) but I was worried about breaking something.
Anyone here got (or could give) a step by step fools guide to removing just
enough trim to get to the aerial fittings...?

 

If no joy here then look for one in a scrappers. At least you can practice
on that first!

Mike

 

In message ,

Removed the lamp holder unit and the 4 bolts, but the lens unit(rear
cluster) still seems to be firmly fixed... are there any clips or tabs than
I need to undo, or is it more likely that the seals have stuck, and I just
need to apply a little more force? (I did push quite hard, but was hesitant
to do more as the plastic doesn't seem to be all that strong)

 

outcome after reading the above.
Got myself an electric antenna from ebay - main problem was picking
the right rubber boot.
Couldnt get the trim off for love or money.
took off the rear light - very easy after instruction here.
Found the plastic supply plugs - matched the colours and carefully put
the antenna and correct boot in place.
Tried it out by switching the radio on - hey presto all worked.
Even my wife and mother in law were impressed.
Thanks guys !!!!!!!!

 

In message ,

Glad it worked out for you!

I'm not the only one that can't remove that stupid boot trim then!!

You said you had no problems removing the rear light... Did you do anything
other then removing the four bolts (and the thing that holds the bulbs)?
I've taken all that out, but the lens cluster still seems to be firmly
fixed. Am I missing something, or do just need to be more forceful??

Btw, What do you mean by 'plastic supply plugs'? The feed from the Stereo
that controls the aerial?

 

The trim was held with screws which were well got at - I would have
needed to drill them out!!!

On removing the 4 bolts the lens until was stuck in quite hard but a
few gentle taps with a rubber hammer loosened it enough to remove it
and I was able to lift it away.
The hardest bit was trying to figure out which rubber boot to fit as I
bought a cheap universal from ebay.
I will warn you if you go down that route the colours of the supplied
antenna did not match, however a bit of logic and a multimeter soon
sorted that out!!!!

There is a plastic plug/socket on my astra that is attached to the
antenna cable - suppose the idea if you get a genuine vauxhall part
you get the electric antenna supplied with the male plug and just plug
in - looks like a square plastic block with female connections in it -
After finding out what did what I cut it off and made a solid
connection but if you wanted you could use spade connections.

Slotting the antenna in place is easy enough from the bottom and cant
see a reason for taking the trim out.

 

In message ,

Thanks.

Just one other question, I refer you back to my troubles in removing the
rear light unit.
ie, I have removed the bulb holder unit and the 4 bolts but it still won't
budge. Do I have to undo/unclip/whatever anything else?? You said the lamp
came out with no problems, so maybe I'm missing something...?

 

Hi Chris
I wonder if yours is a different model, mine is an R reg 1.7 diesel
hatchback.
maybe yours has clips somewhere.
In the past had difficulty with a mini doing the same and wouldnt
budge and an old mechanic told me to gently prize up the edges and
pour in some washing up liquid - just a small amount - all around the
edge then leave for about half an hour - it worked no problem - hope
this helps.
Regards
Les

 

Hi Again Chris
Just read your posting and you sound to have the same model as me -
old shaped astra hatchback - so just try the soap thing, it should
work

 

In message ,

Cheers,

I'll give it a go at the weekend...