Choosing an Antenna
First, you need to get a replacement antenna. I ordered one from the ebay seller "tt_motor", which was far from OEM quality (as claimed) and it did not fit. He quickly gave me a refund, and then I ordered an antenna from "laynlow1". This was also a fairly cheap chinese antenna. I heard these cheap antennas get quite a bit less reception than the OEM ones. After several months of use, it stopped extending all the way unless I was pulling on it as it went up. It made a grinding noise. Perhaps the wind bent this flimsy metal? I tried greasing it, but never had any luck. I'm all about saving money, but in this case I couldn't find a good quality aftermarket replacement (please comment if you have). Next, I went with a OEM antenna from http://lexus.sewellparts.com/. It was ~$60 shipped with my discount for being a clublexus member. The unit was noticeably higher quality than the ones I've ordered off ebay. It fixed my grinding noise, but I just installed it last night at the time of this writing. Update: I sold this car in 2015 and the antenna still operated without issues.
First, you need to get a replacement antenna. I ordered one from the ebay seller "tt_motor", which was far from OEM quality (as claimed) and it did not fit. He quickly gave me a refund, and then I ordered an antenna from "laynlow1". This was also a fairly cheap chinese antenna. I heard these cheap antennas get quite a bit less reception than the OEM ones. After several months of use, it stopped extending all the way unless I was pulling on it as it went up. It made a grinding noise. Perhaps the wind bent this flimsy metal? I tried greasing it, but never had any luck. I'm all about saving money, but in this case I couldn't find a good quality aftermarket replacement (please comment if you have). Next, I went with a OEM antenna from http://lexus.sewellparts.com/. It was ~$60 shipped with my discount for being a clublexus member. The unit was noticeably higher quality than the ones I've ordered off ebay. It fixed my grinding noise, but I just installed it last night at the time of this writing. Update: I sold this car in 2015 and the antenna still operated without issues.
Replacing the Antenna
This is a two-person job.
This is a two-person job.
- Remove the antenna retaining nut. Be careful not to scratch it.
- With the key in the ignition switch "LOCK" position, press the "AM" and "DISC" buttons on the radio simultaneously with turning the ignition switch to "ACC". Then the radio "LCD" display will read "ANT" and the antenna mast will hyper-extend, disengaging the cable. You can let go of the "AM" and "DISC" buttons now.
- With the ignition switch still in "ACC", the new cable is inserted to a full stop into the motor antenna assembly through the mast pipe hole in the body panel, with the teeth on the antenna cable toward the rear of the vehicle.
- As the person in the driver's seat switches the key to "LOCK", feed the cable and mast pipe in.
- After it retracts completely, replace the retaining nut.
