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I want to add a roof graphic.
I would also like to remove my antenna base which would leave an opening.
Any suggestions on what to cover this opening with ?
Anyone out there motoring around with no antenna/base ?
Just wanted to bump this as I was wondering the same thing. What's under the base? I've heard some people mention that there may be two holes under there and that one may be square? Anyone happen to know or, better yet, have pictures?
I'll let you know soon. I pulled a bone headed move...
Pulled into my new building's parking lot and thought I could sneak under the No Tresspassing sign I strung across my driveway. Yeah, well, I would of cleared it except for the antenna base. Pulled the blasted thing up a little and bent the heck out of my shorty antenna.
Have a feeling it's not going to be easy to put it back right.
@lud826 as far as removing just the antenna, it should just unscrew.
So they say in the Bently manual, but not quite true. The antenna mount sits in a square hole, and there is a 22mm nut/holder that screws on from the bottom. On my '05 Cooper S, with a sun-roof, I was able to replace the mount without removing the headliner: Remove the shroud in the ceiling near the antenna by pulling either edge down. You should be able to see the 22mm nut toward the back of the opening (don't be fooled by the inviting socket head bolt, that's for the sun-roof). I was able to get on to, and loosen the nut with a 22mm end-wrench, and then unscrew it by hand. That was the easy part. There are two wires connected to the antenna base, but only one of the harness connectors is long enough to reach the opening under the shroud, so you to have to loosen the head-liner a bit. Pull the rubber molding away from the top half of the hatch opening, and then pull the plastic molding away from the moon-roof, this will give you just enough room to reach in above the headliner and disconnect/reconnect the 2nd antenna connection (attaches to a white wire), be careful not to pull the headliner too far down because it will easily crease. To install the new mount, pop it in from the top, and connect the wires (they come out to the side from a slot in the base, so don't thread them through the nut). To re-install the nut, fold down the rear seat, and lay on your back with legs out tailgate, and you should be able to get the nut started by using the two longest fingers on each hand, snug it down by hand, and then tighten with open end of 22mm end wrench. Replace molding, trim and shroud. 30 minutes total total time, and no damaged interior trim parts to replace!
Here is another link that hopefully has some helpful info. I replaced my R56 2012 antenna base without removing the headliner and recorded it for you guys.
The antenna hole is shown in the video towards the end. Two squareish holes.
The only gasket on the R56 antenna base is permanently connected to the bottom of the actual antenna base. The whole bottom of the base is rubber, not just the edges. No gasket on the inside of the roof. If the bolt holding the base is tight enough, I believe it's possible for the outside edge around the antenna base to be damaged and still not get water into the roof space. Obviously, it would be best to check by accessing the space below the base to see if it is getting wet to see if a replacement is needed.
Screenshot of the bottom of the antenna base below to show the rubber.
03-09-2010, 12:41 AM
but definitely let us know what you find.
