Comet CA-52HB2 antenna

you have to remove the tail light assemble to get the antenna and motor out. Remove the 10mm nuts and unplug the harness from the lamp assembly. Carefully remove the assembly, to save the seal. It has to slide to the outside a little to clear the two outer studs.
Remove the back and right side quarter panels. loosen two 10mm nuts for the antenna, remove the retaining ring fender; remove 10mm nuts; unplug power and antenna leads; move bottom of assembly forward to clear fender; remove through tail light hole.

Most electric Antennas require two people to replace. First turn key on watch and listen to antenna motor as some one turns on radio do this several times. Now remove spanner nut the antenna mast goes through then have them turn radio on again this you assist the rest of the mast out of motor assembly watching what side the teeth are on the plastic cable . Now take new mast and fully extent it and lubricate with a machine oil 3 in 1 works great. slowly lower into housing trying to get first tooth hooked or close then turn radio off this will retract the antenna into the assembly hopefully on the first try it should be all the way in. don't worry re install retainer parts raise and lower several times the overrun clutching will get it in time.

look on line internet for vacuum diagram for 1974 comet.

The antenna mast is extended and retracted with a flexible strip of plastic cable with teeth. The antenna motor turns a gear which drives the cable in (mast down) or out (mast up). These cables do break. You can buy a whole new power antenna assembly or just the plastic cable. Replacing the cable isn't hard, just tricky-- getting the cable to coil up properly inside the antenna assembly can be a pain. You probably can grab the antenna and extend it manually, but you may not be able to push it back in.

pop the rear deck lid and remove the right rear plastic trunk cover. To do this you will remove the small plastic piece that is directly in front of the right rear tail light. Then remove the big plastic screw that retains the center plastic deck lid cover. Now remove the three 10mm nuts that keep the right rear plastic cover secured. Remove the right rear plastic cover. Be careful as it can crack if you put too much pressure on it. Look inside and to the right rear where the antenna mast comes up. You will see a small 10mm nut that holds the antenna mast to the body. Take that nut off. This will release the outer body cover from the inner cover. Remove the outer body cover and then remove the two screws from the OUTSIDE of the body cover. Now follow the antenna body down and you will see two or three additional small nuts that hold the antenna assembly metal bracket in place. Remove these. Unplug the antenna co-ax cable from the input. It just slides out. Unplug the antenna connection as well. This is the jack that has the power wires. You will also need to unscrew the ground wire from the inner body frame. There might be a nut on top of the actual antenna mast. If so, just unscrew it. The entire antenna assembly will now lift out. It's a mildly tight fit but you don't need to be too gentle in this step. Normally the problem is the antenna belt has broken inside the antenna assembly and there is no hope of replacing that belt. You have to replace the entire assembly. I found mine on Craigslist from a guy parting his totaled Z. May it rest in peace. His loss - my gain! Typical price is $65, maybe you can talk him down to $50. Installation is the above process in reverse.

remove the mud guard cover.
you will find the antenna motor assembly.
unscrew the bolt, connector and lock and you can proceed to replacing either the antenna rod or the whole assembly.

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO RATE!!!!

Removal & Installation

1. Lower the antenna and remove the luggage compartment trim panel.
   
2. Disconnect the lead-in cable from the antenna and ground strap.
   
3. Disconnect the antenna motor wires at the connectors and disconnect the control box connectors.
   
4. Remove the top mounting nut and stanchion assembly.
   
5. Remove the two nuts retaining the antenna bracket assembly to the quarter panel.
   
6. Remove the antenna assembly from the vehicle.
   

Some antennas require a special socket to remove the locknut


Once its loose the nut can be removed by hand. Sometimes it can be twisted off with a needle nose pliers, but that usually ruins the tool


The antenna mounts in the luggage compartment against the support member


The motor and housing sit on a stand that is bolted to the support member


Unplug the antenna lead from the staff tube


Unplug the connector to the motor


Unplug the connector to the relay


Its easier to remove the antennae from the support to gain access to the ground strap screws

To install:
NOTE Correct sequencing for installation is important to prevent water leakage or dimpling of the quarter panel

1. Connect the antenna cable, power connector and control box connector.
   
2. Insert the antenna mast through the quarter panel hole and position bracket on mounting studs in the luggage compartment.
   
3. Install the stanchion assembly.
   
4. Loosely install the two bracket retaining nuts.
   
5. Install the top-mounting nut.
   
6. Tighten the bracket retaining nuts.
   
7. Install the ground strap.
   

You don't. Go to a salvage yard and buy a used antenna unit and replace the entire assembly.

Or, to save money, take a pliers and extend the antenna out. It won't retract, but you can still enjoy your radio.

I will take a look at mine tomorrow. Mine stays up because the nylon cord thingy is stripped. No biggy for me though. I have taken it apart so I know it is stripped I just can't remember how it all goes together.