hirschmann antenna repair

Post in this forum for topics relating to the interior.

Moderators: GRNSHRK, ron, bfons

Post Reply
TimU
Posts: 280
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2021 2:16 am
Location: Sydney

hirschmann antenna repair

Post by TimU »

Real quick question - is this repairable or do I need to buy a replacement mast & spline?

Edit: Scroll down for a detailed teardown guide.

Image
Last edited by TimU on Tue Jan 11, 2022 4:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
04/1986 635csi Euro spec
Australian Delivered, RHD
Jubilados
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2020 4:48 am
Location: So Cal

Re: hirschmann antenna repair

Post by Jubilados »

That mast is toast.
rhanley 635csi89
Bigcoupe Contributor
Bigcoupe Contributor
Posts: 323
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2014 12:08 am
Location: Arden, NC 28704

Re: hirschmann antenna repair

Post by rhanley 635csi89 »

Yes it's repairable. Do a search in the Tech section (antenna repair) several helpful posts. Roger
89 635CSiA (11/88 build)
AlpineWeiss II (218)/Natur(0200)
87 L6 635CSI Sold
87 MB 560SL Sold
Jubilados
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2020 4:48 am
Location: So Cal

Re: hirschmann antenna repair

Post by Jubilados »

The antenna as a whole is repairable, but the broken mast isn’t.
So, yes it’s repairable and yes you need to buy a new replacement mast.
TimU
Posts: 280
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2021 2:16 am
Location: Sydney

Re: hirschmann antenna repair

Post by TimU »

Thanks all, most of the links and photos in the previous threads are dead unfortunately, but I did get enough info to work through it myself.

Any recommendations for an online shop who sells a cost effective replacement antenna please?

I'm also on the lookout for 2 other parts - I have a screw-mounted antenna.
  • The seal/grommet/gasket piece that attaches to the teeth of the metal bracket and sits under the body metal.
  • The little black rubber ring that goes under the chromed "BMW" spacer.
Image

EDIT - PROBLEM SOLVED!
See below or click here:
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32796&p=233521#p233521
Last edited by TimU on Sat Jan 15, 2022 10:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
04/1986 635csi Euro spec
Australian Delivered, RHD
TimU
Posts: 280
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2021 2:16 am
Location: Sydney

Re: hirschmann antenna repair

Post by TimU »

For the record, here are some more photos of the Antenna teardown and cleanup that was in my Australian-delivered BMW 1986 E24 635CSI.
Hope this helps someone else in the future.

Other sources of reference:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17530
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=27467
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14298
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11445
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiE1PTJHEJM
https://www.benzworld.org/threads/hirsc ... e.1432845/
https://www.500eboard.co/forums/threads ... enna.7102/

Parts:
https://www.autohausaz.com/catalog/k/bm ... s=r&page=1
https://www.eeuroparts.com/Cars/BMW/143 ... ch=antenna
https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSe ... 4_antenna/

The nasty foam gasket and the rubber grommets are NLA.
See below or click here for a work-around.
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32796&p=233521#p233521

Teardown and cleanup

Hirschmann Auta 6000EL antenna unit.
The "362" variant mark denotes the upper mast mounting point hardware & vehicle electrical connections.
Internals are the same between all variants.

Image

-----------------------------------
Out of the car. Lots of water scaling on the case.

Image

-----------------------------------
Source of the water problem. Under-body mount sealing gasket is totally stuffed.

Image

-----------------------------------
Exploded parts diagram for reference.
Image

-----------------------------------
Open the case by gently unclipping all the snap-clips around the unit. Thankfully there are no hidden snaps, so just take your time.
(No pics unfortunately)

-----------------------------------
Unscrew the chrome tip to free the telescopic antenna.
Unscrew the brass Y bit from the aluminium pipe.

Image
Image
Image

-----------------------------------
My antenna was a Hirschmann H 04, which means "4 telescopic segments".

Image

-----------------------------------
Remove the inner aluminium pipe from the fixed outer sheath. No screws, just gently push it of the pipe.
You might have to fish out the rummer grommet from the winding unit afterwards.
Also note that one end of the tube is round, the other is hexagonal. Round goes into the winding unit. Hex goes outwards.

Image
Image

-----------------------------------
Original connection layout of the control circuit board.

Image

-----------------------------------
Disconnect the motor wires to allow the winding unit to be removed.

Image

-----------------------------------
Bench testing the motor. Works fine.
Apply +12VDC to the motor to wind out the damaged spline.

Image
Image

-----------------------------------
Unscrew the guide rail to clean inside.
After cleaning, this is the only metal-on-metal part that I applied new lithium grease/lubricant to.
Nylon parts do not need additional lubrication. Adding lube inside will just encourage dust to gunk up the mechanisms.

Image

-----------------------------------
Remove the circlip to easily pull everything apart.

Image

-----------------------------------
Unscrew the motor bracket to get access to the worm drive.

Image
Image

-----------------------------------
Clean up all the parts (except the electric motor) with degreaser & WD40.
Use a toothbrush and toothpick to get into the crevices.
Reassemble in reverse order.

Image

-----------------------------------
Don't forget the rubber standoffs. 6 in total: 3 below, 3 above + 1 bumper in the lid

Image
Image

-----------------------------------
Align the rubber standoffs with the lid pins and carefully snap the lid closed.

Image

-----------------------------------
Reattach the brass Y piece.
Use the adjustment screw to make sure it points in the original direction.
Image

-----------------------------------

I need new grommets and a new antenna to complete this installation.

PART 2 BELOW
The nasty foam gasket and the rubber grommets are NLA.
See Part 2 below for a work-around:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=32796#p233521

-----------------------------------
Last edited by TimU on Wed Feb 09, 2022 12:51 am, edited 5 times in total.
User avatar
hornhospital
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 2931
Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2010 6:46 pm
Location: Silverhill, AL
Contact:

Re: hirschmann antenna repair

Post by hornhospital »

That's an EXCELLENT write-up with great pictures!

THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US.

I rebuilt the one in my '85 325e and swore never again. Multiple tries over a week's time. If I'd had this to guide me it would have been a much less harrowing experience.
Last edited by hornhospital on Wed Jan 12, 2022 12:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
ron
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 4569
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:35 am
Location: South Wales U.K.

Re: hirschmann antenna repair

Post by ron »

Brilliant write-up and pics.

Many thanks.Will be referenced frequently.

Have moved it to “Tech.Articles”.
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
'85 M #228
'87 M #367
'88 High line.
'10 X5
‘84 Alfasud 1.5 ti
User avatar
Sbeaud
Posts: 279
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:38 pm
Location: Okahumpka, Florida USA

Re: hirschmann antenna repair

Post by Sbeaud »

Wow! Great write up - and the pictures!!!

I replaced my mast about a year ago and was concerned that I would need to tear into the motor. I got lucky and the mast went in without a problem, but I was concerned about having reference material if I needed to delve in further. No longer a problem.

Thanks

Scott Beaudry
1988 M6
User avatar
Slownrusty
Posts: 617
Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2019 2:22 pm
Location: Houston, TX

Re: hirschmann antenna repair

Post by Slownrusty »

I love this thread!
So awesome.
Thank-you
TimU
Posts: 280
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2021 2:16 am
Location: Sydney

Re: hirschmann antenna repair

Post by TimU »

Update time.

Short version: I found a cheap work-around for some unobtanium parts.

Long version:

I've been searching far and wide for 3 parts to complete this repair:
  1. Antenna mast (Found pretty easily - Search "Hirschmann Antenna Mast". Mine is a 4-segment mast with a toothed nylon spline)
  2. Foam gasket that sits under the body, on top of the toothed adapter ring.
  3. Rubber washer that sits under the chrome ring.
Impossible parts

The foam gasket is impossible to find.
Nothing from BMW. Nothing from Hirshmann (I called). Nothing on eBay or any of the usual parts suppliers.
Judging by the looks of the foam after time, I'm not sure I even WANT to replace it.
Here's what a fresh foam gasket looks like, followed by my nasty one out of the car.

Image

Image

Here's what the rubber washer looks like:
The rubber washer can be found second hand, but the price is daylight robbery.
Example: There's a complete chrome ring tip including the rubber washer on eBay for US$125 at the moment.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/185215169162

Image

Image


Workaround

So I went searching for an alternative and found the PERFECT fix for both, in a single product!

1" rubber blanking grommets from my hardware store.

Packet
Image

Top
Image

Bottom
Image

Profile
Image

Radius test
Image
Image

Testing

Slice out the centre with a craft knife.
Don't slice too much - You want a tight fit to help with water sealant.
Image

Install in this order
Image

Image

Image

To the car

The hole is 22mm diameter.
Image

I thought the grommet wasn't going to fit at first, but it fits perfectly in the groove on the profile.
You can see where the boot was resprayed after a previous rear-end accident. They didn't bother to take the antenna out and just sprayed around it.
Image

Test fit
This picture makes it look like I cut too much rubber away, but it's actually a nice and tight fit all around.
But to be sure, I added some plumbing thread tape to reduce the chances of a leak.
Image

Image

Installed.
Slightly smaller than the original washer, but it works well.
Image

Underside. Nice and snug.
These pics were a test fit without the rest of the antenna body attached.
Image

Fully installed again.
I dismantled the chrome and brass bits, and installed them back onto the antenna neck for this final installation.
Image

Next steps:

Waiting on the antenna mast that's on order from my local friendly Bavarian Classics workshop.
This can be reinstalled from the outside without dismantling the motor body again.
04/1986 635csi Euro spec
Australian Delivered, RHD
User avatar
Sbeaud
Posts: 279
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:38 pm
Location: Okahumpka, Florida USA

Re: hirschmann antenna repair

Post by Sbeaud »

Very nice workaround, and again, great pics!

Scott Beaudry
1988 M6
TimU
Posts: 280
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2021 2:16 am
Location: Sydney

Re: hirschmann antenna repair

Post by TimU »

Can anyone confirm the movement of an uninstalled antenna mast please?

I received a new (old) antenna mast and spline recently and was bench-testing it before installation.

I can't manually extend the telescope. I've tried pulling it out by the tip and pushing it out by the spline, but it feels locked in-place.
It appears to be in good condition, no obvious kinks or bends.

My old broken one was able to extend freely, even with a small kink in the shaft.

Should it be able to manually extend and retract freely like this?
04/1986 635csi Euro spec
Australian Delivered, RHD
User avatar
hornhospital
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 2931
Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2010 6:46 pm
Location: Silverhill, AL
Contact:

Re: hirschmann antenna repair

Post by hornhospital »

No. If it's an intact, working automatic antenna, it cannot be manually extended or collapsed. Doing so will break the actuator. Ask me how I know. ](*,)
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
TimU
Posts: 280
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2021 2:16 am
Location: Sydney

Re: hirschmann antenna repair

Post by TimU »

TimU wrote: Wed Feb 09, 2022 1:26 am Can anyone confirm the movement of an uninstalled antenna mast please?
[...]
Should it be able to manually extend and retract freely?
Update:
Yes, it should extend freely (before installation into the motor housing).
There is no hidden locking mechanism or anything mechanical to stop it extending.

My replacement mast's telescoping shafts had seized with old grease or whatever.
I had to put a fair bit of effort (and solvent) into freeing up the telescoping shafts, but it's running nice and freely now.

After freeing it up by force, and then thoroughly cleaning the shafts, I gave it a little spray of lithium grease to help keep it running smoothly.

My antenna, mast and motor is now complete and functional :lol:
04/1986 635csi Euro spec
Australian Delivered, RHD
User avatar
hornhospital
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 2931
Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2010 6:46 pm
Location: Silverhill, AL
Contact:

Re: hirschmann antenna repair

Post by hornhospital »

Sorry, I missed the "uninstalled" part. As Tim said, it should extend and collapse easily by hand before it's assembled to the drive.
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
Post Reply