How to Install Antenna Masts on 1997 LS400s

The LS400 is a large, rear-drive sedan that is manufactured by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota Motor Company. In addition to the 4.0 liter V-8 engine, the 1997 LS400 has many other luxury touches, including a radio antenna that retracts electrically into the drivers side rear quarter panel when not needed. The antenna mast is attached to a cogged plastic drive cable that is actuated by an electric motor in the trunk. A malfunctioning antenna may be remedied by replacing the mast and drive cable assembly.

Instructions

Removal and Installation

1

Slide an antenna removal socket -- available at your dealer or auto parts store -- over the antenna. Twist the socket as needed so that the prongs in its base are inserted into the slots in the chrome nut on the antenna base.

2

Turn the socket with a wrench in a counterclockwise direction to loosen the nut. Remove the socket and finish twisting off the nut by hand. Remove the nut and the black plastic mounting bracket from the rear quarter panel.

3

Have an assistant depress the AM and TAPE or the AM and CD buttons -- depending on which unit your car has -- on the radio simultaneously while turning the ignition key to the accessory position.

4

Grasp the antenna mast as it is moving upwards -- or attempting to move upwards -- and pull it and the attached plastic drive cable straight out of the rear quarter panel.

5

Extend the mast on the replacement antenna fully by pulling it out. Position the drive cable extending from the bottom of the mast into the antenna hole in the rear quarter panel with the cogged side facing the rear of the car. Push the drive cable into the hole approximately 15- inches so that it engages the gear on the antenna motor in the trunk.

6

Replace the mounting bracket over the mast and twist the chrome nut on by hand. Tighten the nut with the antenna removal socket. Turn the ignition key to the locked position, which should cause the mast to retract into the quarter panel.

7

Loosen the chrome nut slightly with the antenna removal socket, if the mast sticks while going down.

Broken Drive Cable

8

Open the trunk lid in preparation of removal of the antenna motor. Note that this is needed only if the drive cable was unable to be inserted 15- inches, indicating that there may be broken pieces of the old cable in the motor assembly.

9

Remove the nut and mounting bracket from the top of the antenna mast on the quarter panel as previously instructed.

10

Remove the trim panel on the drivers side of the trunk compartment to reveal the antenna motor assembly. Remove the four bolts from the metal bracket in front of the motor with a socket and ratchet. Remove the bracket and place it aside.

11

Pull the electrical connector on the front of the antenna motor assembly apart. Pull the black antenna coax cable straight out of the antenna assembly. Remove the antenna motor assembly retaining bolts with a socket and ratchet. Slide the entire assembly downwards until it clears the hole in the top of the quarter panel, then remove the assembly from the trunk.

12

Pull apart the two electrical connectors on the backside of the antenna assembly. Remove the two screws on the black plastic motor cover with a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the center bolt from the cover with a socket and ratchet.

13

Pry the cover off the motor assembly with a flat blade screwdriver. Use needle-nose pliers to remove any pieces of cogged drive cable from the motor compartment.

14

Replace the cover and tighten the screws and bolt. Plug the two electrical connections on the back of the assembly back in. Position the assembly back into the trunk compartment and replace the retaining screws. Push the coax antenna cable back into the assembly. Snap the wiring connector on the front of the assembly back together.

15

Replace the bracket and tighten the four retaining bolts. Replace the trunk trim. Install the antenna mast as previously instructed.