[Wdfboltonc]

Hi everyone.

I’m looking for advice on how to replace the whip aerial on my roadster. During installing a reversing camera, I thought it would be a good opportunity to replace the oem FM aerial with a DAB aerial. Removing the oem aerial was pretty simple but with the DAB aerial, the fixing nut has to be done from underneath. Access to under the aerial is very limiting and with the tips of my fingers, I could just reach the underneath but unable to screw on the fixing nut.

Has anyone done this before?

Thanks
Craig

 

[SwissJetPilot]

This might help. It's only for swapping the OEM for a stubby, but has a diagram for how the antenna is attached under the metal work -

Roadster Aerial / Antenna Removal

Hi all, I have an 08 TFSi Roadster and I've bought a stubby aerial for it, thinking that the top just screws off to replace the original one. When I try to unscrew it, it's stuck fast. The rubber outer part seems to move a little but otherwise it's not budging. Is there something more to it...

www.ttforum.co.uk

 

[JohnnyFarmer]

I've recently replaced corroded (& subsequently found to be non-functioning) roadster antenna & amplifier.
Agree horrendous position to get into.
Do you have a picture or weblink for the fitting you are putting in?
My initial thoughts are a socket spanner on the end of some kind of flexible drive.

3pc Mixed Drive Flexible Flexi Socket Extesion Bar Adapter Set 1/4 3/8 + 1/2 : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Shop 3pc Mixed Drive Flexible Flexi Socket Extesion Bar Adapter Set 1/4 3/8 + 1/2. Free delivery on eligible orders of £20 or more.

www.amazon.co.uk

Like this - but clearly limited by wires coming out - you might need to modify the spanner socket by grinding a slot in it for the wires.

 

[SwissJetPilot]

@ JohnnyFarmer - Did you have to remove the retaining nut from inside the trunk...???

The instructions seem to indicate once the antenna -4- is removed, the nut -2- is on the outside of the body directly under the black conical grommet -3-.

Obviously the left side trunk panel would have to come off in order to access the antenna amplifier from inside the trunk. From these photos, I'm assuming the two cables noted with red arrows go to the antenna amplifier...??

Left side trunk panel removed -

Red arrows point to the two cables running up to the antenna -

 

[JohnnyFarmer]

Morning SJP - Merry Christmas etc. As I understand it Wdfboltonc is fitting an after-market DAB antenna - mine was simply a replacement OEM. The conical cover to the right of the picture clips off revealing the metal nut & black plastic seating 'washer' to which it is attached & which on tightening the nut will pull the amplifier tight up to the inside of the rear wing. On my amplifier there was no internal nut - I think it's just present on Wdfboltonc's one.

Though it was a ballache to re-fit I now have a working radio on my RNSE with Q good sound

 

[SwissJetPilot]

@ JohnnyFarmer - Merry Christmas!
Geeze - that did not look like fun at all.
Anytime the drill comes out to remove a nut or bolt, it's not going to be a good day - LOL!
Hopefully his DAB antenna will fit properly once the OEM antenna is out of the way.

 

[JohnnyFarmer]

Anytime the drill comes out to remove a nut or bolt, it's not going to be a good day - LOL!

I think after I drilled the wing mirror bolts out anything else is a walk in the park

 

[Wdfboltonc]

Thanks everyone for the posts. As JohnnyFarmer mentioned, I’m trying to fit an aftermarket DAB aerial. Access to the bottom of the aerial where the fixing nut needs to be secured is very limited with getting the hand past the amp through a small access. I’ve read another online article where another person managed to get the nut on but only finger tight. Might have a look behind the wheel lining. No access from behind the light cluster.