Author Topic: Power Antenna Belt replacement (Read 3563 times)

benhanson · « **on:** September 05, 2009, 04:17:44 PM »

My power antenna failed this summer. After taking it apart, I found it was simply a broken belt, which I thought should be an easy fix. Unfortunately, I had a hell of a time finding the belt, so I thought I would post a source. The belt on my '91 318i is a 2.03mm (MXL) pitch, 60 tooth, 6mm wide belt. I found a supplier online who has a decent online store and will sell you a single belt for about $3.50 + shipping. I'm in Alaska, so shipping was more than the cost of the belt, but still much cheaper than replacing the whole thing(and a lot less wasteful). They have various other options for materials and tensioning material, I went with a Urethane belt with kevlar tensioning (A 6B16M060060).

https://sdp-si.com/eStore/

Ramblin MAn · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2009, 10:38:27 PM »

Great thanks for this post. I looked but couldn't find the belts on line. I need the antenna too. Mine was frozen solid which is what snapped the belt in the first place. I patched the belt but sounds like now I can order the replacement.

benhanson · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2009, 02:23:48 PM »

When I bought my 318 the antenna was frozen as well, it seems like they don't do too well if they don't get used. I was able to get it fully functional with some WD40 and a lot of patience. If I remember correctly, I did actually use some extremely fine sandpaper(600+ grit, might have been 800 grit) to polish up the chrome on the antenna mast. This last issue, I was thinking I Might try a "Magic Eraser." I use them to polish the chrome on some stuff in my kitchen when it needs it, it works quite well.

Ramblin MAn · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2009, 10:20:59 PM »

As long as we are on the topic, what tells the antena to go up? I can get the motor to only spin in one direction. It was up. It's out now.

benhanson · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2009, 11:06:33 PM »

It has to be a relay, since the stereo is basically applying voltage to send the antenna up, then removing voltage to cause it to come back down. If yours only spins one direction, might be a bad relay. Mine went both ways even when it was stuck. It would try and send it up, get to a sticking point and stop, then do the same on the way back down.