Aerial removal and fix

From THE Corrado Forum Knowledge Base

You will need the following:

22mm Spanner

A new aerial - £54+VAT from VW!

or

Some rubber edge protector to replace the rubber seal on the aerial

So let's begin

The rear trim just pulls off but take care not to be too brutal, there are 5 sets of clips on the trim. I managed to ease it off without busting anything.

There are two tabs on the headlining that need to be eased out of the slots in the body that they sit in. Again take care as these feel well delicate.

You can now pull the headlining down about 4 or 5 inches (you shouldn't pull the headlining down too far or it can cause it to crease!), just enough to reach in with a 22mm spanner to release the nut holding the aerial in place.

I've noticed that the small plastic trim that goes around the bottom of my aerial base is flaking away. GSF do a replacement for my aerial but the push-fit connection is different so it means completely changing the cable right down to the head unit.

So... I've removed the rubber seal and relaced with flexible edge protector (we have miles of it here at work) and glued it in place. This actually provides a seal against the body work and looks good too. It may not work but it's worth a try.

It's edge protector, the sort used on sheetmetal edges. We have it at work and turned out to be just the right size. Not having bought it before I can't say for sure if it's available at DIY stores. I would think you can pick it up at somewhere like B&Q. I think Halfords sell it too.

The only thing is it needs to be about 5mm deep and very flexible to go round the aerial base. The thickness of the rubber also needs to be about the same thickness (about 1mm) as the old rubber boot, the bit that presses against the roof. If not, the roof beneath the aerial base may deform slightly when you tighten the nut although you probably wouldn't see it.

The whole aerial is £54+VAT from VW by the way!