My '95 Camry has an automatic antenna which goes up or down when the radio is turned on or off (i dont know which other years have that, all i know is that mine does). Just last week, the antenna stopped retracting when i turn the radio off. I can hear the motor trying to pull it down, but the antenna itself doesnt move. I looked into this a little, and it seems as if these type of antennas have a belt/cable that the motor grips onto to move it, so I'm assuming that there is something wrong with this belt.

Basically my main question is, how do i take my old antenna out? I'm clueless on where to start, and i dont want to try anything too drastic because I'm afraid i might chip the paint or ruin something.

smoke489,

These power antenna masts are pretty easy to remove. Shut the car and radio off. Remove that little chrome ring around the antenna base with the 2 slots 180 degrees apart. Wrap a towel around the base area and tap one side of the slot counterclockwise with a screwdriver and a small hammer. The towel is covering the painted area so that if the screwdriver slips off the slot you won't scratch the paint. After the ring loosens, remove it completely. Now, have someone go inside the car, turn the ignition to the accessory position and then turn on the radio. The antenna should raise itself and come completely out of the casing exposing a white tail with geared teeth attached to the bottom of the antenna. Note the direction of the teeth (I believe the teeth face the front of the car). The antenna with the teeth attached at the bottom should come completely out. You are there simply to catch it. You will probably find some of these teeth are damaged. Now take this antenna over to Pep Boys where you should find an aftermarket replacement for about $15 or you can go to the dealer and get one for around $40 like I did. I didn't realize Pep Boys carried the aftermarket one until long after I replaced my antenna. When you get back to the car, start feeding the whip with the teeth back into the hole (teeth facing the same direction from when you removed the original mast) until you feel a slight resistance. Then, have your helper turn on the car and turn the radio off. The teeth of the whip should just catch on the gear mechanism inside the power unit and retrack itself back into the main unit. Now screw the chrome ring back on in a clockwise direction and tighten it with the slotted screwdriver. Be sure not to turn the radio back on until the chrome ring is tightened back down. You are now done.

Mike

But if the antenna mast broke in the motor u will have to take the motor apart. open the trunk and remove the carpet on the side of antenna and u should see the motor. U have to do all of the above that Mike posted but remove the motor.There is a 10mm bolt holding in the motor, then take the round part of the motor by remove the little screws and also the one in the middle pry the small case apart to remove the broken piece of mast, then put the motor back together and install, insert the mast in the motor as Mike states and put back on the crome piece and u are done. OR take it to the dealer.