How to Replace a Car Antenna

The car stereo antenna is not the sturdiest part of your car by any means, despite how important it is to the function of your radio. The antenna can easily be snapped off in a car wash or by a vandal. A power antenna may also simply fail to work after prolonged use. Car antennas, though, are easily replaced with a little direction.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adjustable wrench

1. Use your owner's manual to gain access to the backside of your antenna, inside the car.

2. Loosen and remove the two nuts holding the antenna in place using an adjustable wrench and your fingers. One nut should be outside your car, and the other on the inside where the antenna meets the inner side of the car body.

3. Disconnect the signal and power wires from your old antenna, and remove the antenna from the car.

4. Place the new antenna where the old one was, and reconnect the power and signal wires.

5. Replace the two nuts that hold the antenna in place.

6. Close up any inner body paneling you removed to access the antenna.

Tips & Warnings

• If the mast is the only part that is broken, it will usually unscrew from the base and can be replaced by screwing on a new one.
• If you have to reroute wires, avoid placing the signal wire near any power wires or you will get interference in your radio's reception.