R129 electric ariel stuck in extended postition

discoking

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My ariel got stuck in the extended position,only realised this morning when I got in her this morning.

The motor is making a noise when I turn the radio on/off as I've exposed the ariel in the boot but no movement.Is there anything I should be looking for?

thanks in advance
 

television

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The locking clips in each rod section can jam, due to corrosion on these clips, though they should not be lubricated, a little WD40 in each section of the rods will help. Do wipe off and surplus of the rods, then with the radio switch so that the antenna is in the down mode, push the rods down carefully so that you do not kink them, give it a go
 
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discoking

discoking

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The locking clips in each rod section can jam, due to corrosion on these clips, though they should not be lubricated, a little WD40 in each section of the rods will help. Do wipe off and surplus of the rods, then with the radio switch so that the antenna is in the down mode, push the rods down carefully so that you do not kink them, give it a go

Thanks will try that now :)
 
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discoking

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No luck but thanks for the tip.

I can hear the motor trying to push the ariel up when I turn the radio on and can hear it working to get the ariel back down but no movement.Anything else it could be or is it a get it off and open it job?

And if I do have to take the ariel out whats the best way with it being in the extended position?
 
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discoking

discoking

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As a side note I could just take it to a sparky but tbh I love working on my own cars as I like to see how they work and well it's nice to fix stuff yourself so if anyone has any ideas I'd appreciate them :)
 

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They do fail and given a new one is £140 worth taking apart!
 

television

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Maybe the cord has snapped, undo the nut and in the up mode the rods will cme out, if the cord is damaged.

New rod section are on Ebay about £30
 
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discoking

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Got it!

Ok so I've found out what has caused the problem,a small rubber toothed belt has snapped :(

DSCN3311.jpg


DSCN3312.jpg


the culprit
DSCN3314.jpg


Problem I now have is where to get a replacement belt or finding something else to do the job.

Any ideas?
 
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discoking

discoking

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Ter are no parts from MB for this, I just did a google search and loads came up like this one.

http://www.piesau.com.au/Timing Belt Drives.htm

These things are used extensively on hand power tools like planers etc

Thanks for the link,really appreciate it.I'll try these if all else fails but 1st I have an old E class in stock and iirc the ariel is exactly the same(replaced the mast on a 300CE once)so I'll see if I can get that one.I'd like to get it done today as I don't much like leaving the car in the street with ariel up.
 
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discoking

discoking

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Bah,the belt from an E class ariel is just one tooth too short*,making it too tight and the motor wont move :(

Theres a good model shop locally which I'll try tomorrow and hope he stocks belts like these,if not then getting in touch with the people Malcolm kindly linked for me.

*I take it the numbers on the belt indicate how many teeth and groves it has,the one that snapped was 122 and the one from the E class was a 121?
 

bigasotonuk

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Hi,
Have you got this sorted yet?
I have a couple of broken Hirschman/Bosch electric aerials both belts are intact if you still need one reply back on the thread.
 
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discoking

discoking

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Hi,
Have you got this sorted yet?
I have a couple of broken Hirschman/Bosch electric aerials both belts are intact if you still need one reply back on the thread.

That would be great thanks :)

I've tried all sorts to locate a similar belt and unless I want to buy atleast 250(from local firm who will make one) I'm stumped and was going to go get a new one next week if nothing else turned up.
 

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