What will a new power antenna for my car cost?

[BoberFett]

My dear wife decided that it wasn't necessary to turn off the radio when she went through the car wash today, so the power antenna on my 96 Chrysler Concorde is now a crumpled piece of metal. I would hope I can get a generic part to replace this for not too much money. The dealer quoted $100 for the part, and naturally I'm expecting to be ripped off by a dealer. What should this part really cost? And are they very difficult to replace?

 

[Electric Amish]

I need the same thing done on my '94 Ford Probe. Although, it broke on it's own...

amish

 

[perry]

$100 sounds about right to tell ya the truth. Maybe check for dealers that have their parts departments online (I know of a couple internet friendly dealers for Fords), they'll usually give you alot better price than what your local dealer will give ya.

I've never replaced one myself, but I've heard on some cars that they can be a PITA. You're gunna have to do some messing around in the trunk (or wherever the antenna is) to get the old one out and the new one connected to the wires n' stuff.

 

[monckywrench]

Unless ya have some special desire for a power antenna I suggest getting the flexible one-piece stainless non-power type. They are only a few dollars, easy to install, and survive car washes.

 

[lsd]

Should be around $40ish in local auto stores or even radio shack, Dealers always jack up the price.

 

[Mill]

That price actually sounds pretty good. Unless you go to a junkyard, a new one will cost that much.

 

[boomerang]

If you replace it with an aftermarket power antenna, it will require a lot of dicking around to get it in. If you want power, I'd go dealer and install it yourself. Pretty easy job in the trunk. Kind of a pain in the front fender.

Take a look at the bezel on it. Sometimes they take a special tool to get off. You can sometimes work around that , but it's real easy to damage the paint. Speaking from experience here.:disgust:

 

[Clutch]

I also had a problem with the power antenna on my Ford Probe. I went to the dealer for a price on the whole module and they wanted some ridiculous price for it,around $175 dollars I believe. My solution was to take the module apart and just replace the antenna and and the nylon ripcord that comes with it. I believe the antenna itself was around $50 for a new one from the ford dealer and if your lucky you could probably pick one up at a junk yard for under $15. Probably involved about an hours worth of labor and saved me at least a hundred bucks.

Clutch

 

[BoberFett]

Well you're not making me feel better about this but I'll take a look at it (it's in the trunk on the Concorde, so I can at least get at it) and maybe give a junkyard a call.

Thanks fellas.

 

[Doodoo]

Bout 30 or 40 bucks. If its in the trunk, shouldn't be hard at all.