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I promise, I've searched on this topic, but could not find the answer. On my 05 MCS, how the heck do I get the antenna base off? I have to put some roof graphics on, and the base will not budge!
I think there is a bolt holding the antenna base in place. I've heard that to get to it, you need to remove the c-pillar cover and pull back the headliner. I haven't tried it myself, but I'm sure some other NAMer has.
On the 02-04 you rotate the cover counterclockwise, according to the Bently Bible, to expose the retaining nut for the base. Carefully pull down the rear of the headliner with the rear hatch open to remove base (be careful not to crease the headliner)
Inside the rear of the car (on the headloiner), you will see a plastic cover (this is where the motion sensor for the alarm goes). If you remove this cover, you can see the retaining bolt for the antenna. I used a socket with a swivel joint to loosen this. (I had to do this to switch to the sattelite radio antenna)
Thanks everyone! I'm gonna do this today and will report back. On my 02, I could remove the base with a simple twist! Oh well, I'm about to get even more intimate with the 05.
Update: I did have to remove the headliner partially. I was then able (barely) to unscrew the retaining nut and remove the antenna base. There are 2 wires that also need to be unplugged. A PITA, but not too bad.