Car aerial problem

[GPG]

Oh bother. Recently, after a car wash, I pulled my telescopic aerial right out - it was pretty corroded and unwilling to extend.

So, I pushed it back in. Well, it is clealy not as far back-in as it was, because I can see that about 1cm of unweathered metal has not vanished into the hole. Oddly, the radio still works with it in this state.

The question is this - will it go right in if I push hard enough? As a secondary issue, would I be able to buy a new, uncorrodede, aerial, and push that right in? Or am I just kidding myself? I suspect that I am.

[Ian Stirling]

It's the bit that should prevent the thing from extending too much jamming in the bottom of the hole, likely.

No, you can't, you need to replace it from the underside.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

You'd normally have to buy the complete item. If identical, you *may* be able to swap bits around to avoid having to use the new downlead. But in any eventuality, you'll need access to under the wing or wherever.

In future, give the aerial a wipe with a tissue etc before closing it. They're normally stainless steel so don't corrode. It's the muck that jams them.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Or the supercooled ice as I discovered driving along an auotopbahn in freezing foggy weather.

Came out with about 1/4" of ice on it.