Replacing Antenna 2001 Yukon

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.

Mercedes preferred supplier of aerial masts is Hirschmann. There is a connector to the top of the box a coax aerial connection to the mast root, an earth lead strap and a bolted bracket to the base. The aerial mast exits through the car skin in a rubber fitted sleeve. You say that you can hear the motor running but that the mast refuses to emerge. The beauty of Hirschmann is that their motor drive antenna assemblies are readily disassembled (and reassembled). You will need to take the mast assembly out of the vehicle; disconnect the wiring plug socket, remove the bracket bolt, earth strap and unscrew the coax cable connector. Pull the mast firmly down and out of the body work sleeve. The outer aerial mast is driven up by a toothed plastic flexible inner rod normally stored in a coil within the motor assembly. Remove the torx screw in the middle of the rounded end and separate the two halves. At the top is the electric motor set horizontally which drives a rubber belt to a helical drive immediately below it lying parallel. If this belt is broken this would give rise to the motor running but not engaging . The helical drive engages with the edge of the storage drum feeding out and retrieving the coiled rod to raise and lower the antenna. If the helical drive or the drum edge has missing teeth then the aerial cannot function. All these components can be be bought from Hirschmann spares or through your Mercedes dealer.

How do I install a new antenna on my GMC 05 2500 Sierra. I have to replace the base because it broke off. I've taken the dash off. But cannot seem to fish wire through the firewall.

You can unscrew the mast from the mount. The mount is right on top of the fender. http://www.aliexpress.com/product-gs/234605996-Car-antenna-mast-wholesalers.html
That site shows the antenna mast, and the lower left portion of the picture shows the end that screws into the antenna mount.

So, I presume that the mast is broken, so, you unscrew the base nut, at the bottom of the exposed antenna, turn on the radio, the antenna will feed itself out....
if the plactic is broken, it is often easier to replace entire unit..

1. Disconnect negative side of battery.
2. Wait at least 2-minutes to de-energize the airbag system
3. Remove the glove box from the dash.
4. There will be a coax cable towards the top of the opening. Disconnect the antenna cable lead.
5. Remove the right kick trim panel. There should be no screws just clips.
6. Loosen the rubber grommet insulator from the door hinge area. This is a rubber accordian style guard for wires located between the "A" pillar and the door.
7. Pull the antenna cable out of the dash area to the hinge area.
8. Jack up the front right of the vehicle. Support with Jack Stands. Do not use only the Jack! Use the jack as a back-up in case of Jack Stand failure.
9. Remove the right front tire.
10. Remove the right front wheel housing splash shield. There should be 3-push type retainers and one 10 mm bolt below the bumper.
11. Slide the plastic cover (on the base) up on the antenna mast.
12. Use a open end wrench to unscrew the antenna mast at the base and remove the antenna mast.
13. Remove the plastic cap from the base nut on the base and remove the base nut.
14. From underneath the fender: pull down the antenna base. And pull the cable towards you - out from the door hinge area into the fender area.
Good Luck! Installation is reverse of above.
If this helped or you need clarification or additional help: let me know at fixya.com

if its an electric antenna unscrew the retainer nut on the fender (carefully so as not to scratch the paint)have someone turn the radio on while pulling the antenna mast reverse to install

I am pretty sure if you remove the inside dome light cover and take out the light there is a bolt and nut under there for the base that you can unscrew. By the way where did you buy the parts from, Ford is telling me $70 for the antenna whip?

Should be a dome light in the interior that lines up with antennae on roof if it's same as I remember. Remove interior light and there should be screws in there holding base of antennae to roof. If it's just a broke off mast, try to unscrew stud from base & replace.

All you should have to do is unscrew it from the base mount on your car. the antenna itself is all that you should have to replace, not the wire.