antenna gasket

[tracker]

I have water leaking in around my radio antenna. Does anyone know how to make a good replacement gasket or if these are still available somewhere? thanks.

[C Johnson]

What kind of antenna do you have ? I have one on the side of my AS that doesn't leak. Pictures would be helpful here but not totally necessary.

Chris

[OakHill]

If you have the old style give http://www.mytravco.com/SkylinerAntenna.htm

a look there is a o ring that dies . that is in inside the two parts .

[tracker]

chris the antenna is a small whip type it looks original i well try to post some photos if i can figure out how. thanks . carl

[Darol Ingalls]

What I want to know is how remove the bracket. Mine appears to be fastned with slotted machine screws with nuts on the inside of the exterior skin. There is no provision to get to the nuts from inside and turning the screw heads does not loosen or tighten anything. This is on my '65 Tradewind, but I've found the same style on 70's trailers with the same problem. Darol

[C Johnson]

I went out and took a picture of what I have on my Caravel just to make sure we are on the same page.

[tracker]

chris that's it . on mine there is an outer gasket where the 3 bolts pass thru and what appears to be some sort of inner gasket/bushing both are cracked and dried out enough to leak. I could make one to fit the outer dia but I don't know what to do about thr inner part. any ideas? carl

[tracker]

chris that's it . on mine there is an outer gasket where the 3 bolts pass thru and what appears to be some sort of inner gasket/bushing both are cracked and dried out enough to leak. I could make one to fit the outer dia but I don't know what to do about thr inner part. any ideas? carl

[C Johnson]

Well Carl, I haven't had mine apart yet. It doesn't leak so I figured why mess with it. The PO has smeared it with silly-cone. I can see that the old gasket is really weather worn and hard. I do have an access hole behind it inside the trailer so thats how I know it doesn't leak.

Just off the cuff, if your rubber gasket is in good enough shape, try a layer of butyl tape under it. Between the rubber and the skin of the trailer. Its just a thought. I haven't seen any other gaskets that I can think of that would do the trick here. I had no idea there was an inner gasket. When I do take this thing off to polish, it looks like I am in for a fun time here !

Is it leaking between the skin and the rubber gasket or from the antenna shaft itself ?

Darol,

Is this the same type of antenna that you have ? I can gain access from inside the trailer to the bolts that hold it on. I can see this as being a two man job here.

Chris

[Gunnyusmc]

Hi Carl
First step is a trip too Napa Auto Parts and get a new car antenna, I used the black rubber one like the late model Airstream, and get gasket material ( they sell neoprem in sheets, in several thicknist ).
Then remove/loosen the inner skin on your trailer, not sure what year and model you have, as the screws that hold the large plastic base plate on have nuts inside. (one person inside and one person outside) The antenna comes out of the plactic base with one screw wich will be visible after you remove the screw that goes horozontaly thru the antenna mast. Then cut new base gasket.
Then run new antenna wire too your radio, I taped new lead too old lead and pulled it thru.
Then replace base plate with new gasket and silkaflex both sides of gasket.
Then mount new antenna on base plate.
Done.

Don

[tracker]

Thanks for the help chris I think the water may be getting in down the shaft of the antenna at least I know the shaft is loose the antenna move as I drive down the highway.Between your advice and that from gunnyusmc I should be able to stem the flow. Thanks carl

[tracker]

Thanks gunny I'll get to work on it right away . didn't know they had the neoprmegasket material that stuff is worth its wieght in gold. Semper Fi and thanks again. carl

[C Johnson]

No problem Carl. Now I have an idea of how to fix mine when the time comes. Good luck with it. Let us know how it turns out.

Thanks Don, I did not know about NAPA selling the sheets of neoprene.

Chris

[Darol Ingalls]

Chris, Same thing. No inside access on either my '65 Tradewind or the '71 Safari that's here for other problems. Darol