Broken antenna

I was washing my truck yesterday and slipped off a step ladder. In my effort to not bust my dome on the concrete, I took out my antenna. It snapped at the screw stem and it is still lodged in there. So my question is what are my options?

Honestly im looking for the most cost effective but I might spend the extra money to avoid a headache. I heard someone makes a stubby antenna but will that reduce reception? Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

 

Wow. No one? I feel smart!

 

not sure about stubbys. but i got my antenna from shortyantennasource.com and didnt lose any reception at all. and it looks good too

 

Based on other threads, the stubby antennas work fine if you live in the city. They get sketchy the further out you go. The look cool though...

 

Any ideas on how to get the broken stem out?

 

do you have any pics of how it looks currently?

 

drill it out?

 

Easy out

 

What is easy out?

 

Easy outs are tools the you can use to remove bolts that have sheered off or to remove seized or damaged ones.

Drill out the core, insert the easy out, then unscrew the bolt

Google them. I have used them on my tacoma, but it depends on how your antenna remnants looks currently.

 

Damn car wash busted mine off at the nut too.

I hit every parts store in several miles (O'Riley, Napa, Pep Boys, AutoZone) looking for the splitter tool taht will loosen that crazy nut Toyota uses. They all said its expensive and you have to go online for it. I went to a upscale Car Audio Installation store and they guy said the same thing. He said he wont pay for the tool. its not worth it. He just drills it out and replaces it with a standard replacement antenna. $75 + parts.

I went to my dealer and the guy said they drill it out too. Why does Toyota use a nut that NOBODY can remove? Its way harder then it should be. Put a regular nut on it!

Anyways, the dealer did it for $95 out the door. Rediculous money or time to fix a busted antenna.

 

OK. Tried the easy out bits and they are too wide to reach the threaded stud still stucke inside. Took it to a Mobile One audio shop and they flat out refused to work on it. Took it to a few other shady audio shops and they both told me to take it to the dealership. Is it that much of a pain in the ass to fix this? Anyone got any other suggestions or should I just take it to the dealership?