Radio antenna removal

[k_rider]

I'm needing to carry a sheet or two of form ply on the roof racks of my MY11 RS wagon fairly soon and I'm thinking that the radio antenna (the stubby, "rubber ducky" style) will get in the way. I've tried unscrewing it from the shark fin base, but without much success. Not wanting to applying brute force and ignorance, does anyone know the correct method for removing the antenna?

[OctaviaKid]

Take it to a dealer to get them to take it off because what you did was correct it should just unscrew - mine did and quite easily

[brad]

If you can unscrew it enough so that it's loose then you can fold it horizontal & tighten it back up in that position (simply clever style).

If you want to remove it then you have to apply extreme amounts of force. I usually attack things with a 2kg ball pein hammer, 12" screwdriver & other tools of butchery & I've got to admit that total removal of the aerial was beyond me.

[k_rider]

Hmmm thanks guys. Seems like I have a 50% chance of removing it! I'll have another crack at it and apply a little more muscle. Not a great piece of design, as it kind of limits what can be carried on the roof racks...

[brad]

Can you post an image because I get the feeling we are imagining different antennas.

[Mysticality]

Just went and had a go - screwed straight off. Give it another go!

Can you post an image because I get the feeling we are imagining different antennas.

He would have the AM/FM/GPS antenna like mine.

[k_rider]

Just went and had a go - screwed straight off. Give it another go!



He would have the AM/FM/GPS antenna like mine.

Yep, same as yours - http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...-34412-13.html

I figured that it should probably just unscrew, but it wasn't doing so as easily as I expected. Now that I know it does unscrew, I can apply the appropriate amount of persuasion...
I'll give it a go on the weekend.
Thanks.

[BottomScratcher]

I have Thule AeroBars on the RT757 foot packs on my Octy RS wagon. I solved this occassional problem with a Honda R type 65mm antenna. It's a straight swap, and change to the FM performance around town and surrounds is not at all noticeable. The original antenna now has a permanent home in the glove box. There are heaps of these available on eBay or Amazon, and they're like the birdies ...... cheap, cheap!

[BottomScratcher]

If you want to remove it then you have to apply extreme amounts of force. I usually attack things with a 2kg ball pein hammer, 12" screwdriver & other tools of butchery ...

Universal torque setting - strip thread then back off half a turn.

Multigrips - Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters.

Vise grips - Generally used after multigrips to completely round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.

2T trolley hoist - A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of all the crap you forgot to disconnect.

Hacksaw - One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle. It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.

Hammers - Originally designed as weapons of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent to the object we are trying to hit.

And remember the Golden Rule - If you think you need a bigger hammer you undoubtedly do.

[k_rider]

Yep, it just unscrews...

Thanks for your replies!