65 ambo antenna access

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   Cant figure out how to get to the under side of the antenna, it’s on the passenger front fender, near the windshield... it’s become loose and I need to get to the under side mounting nut and tighten it. Had a look behind the glove box with no luck, same with looking in the wheel well... possibly the cowl panel where the wipers come thru but I dont wanna get into that without knowing for sure... thanks for any info...

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bigvinnie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: Dec/14/2009 Location: san diego Status: Offline Points: 26	Post Options Post Reply Quote bigvinnie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 65 ambo antenna access Posted: Jan/09/2021 at 4:46pm
	Cant figure out how to get to the under side of the antenna, it’s on the passenger front fender, near the windshield... it’s become loose and I need to get to the under side mounting nut and tighten it. Had a look behind the glove box with no luck, same with looking in the wheel well... possibly the cowl panel where the wipers come thru but I dont wanna get into that without knowing for sure... thanks for any info...

tomj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/27/2010 Location: earth Status: Offline Points: 7544	Post Options Post Reply Quote tomj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/09/2021 at 9:18pm
	Its probably behind the plastic mud shield, behind the pass. side front wheel. Hard to get at with tire and wheel on. 5/16" nutdriver, self-tapping screws. Might be caked over with crud and undercoating.
	1960 Rambler Super two-door wagon, OHV auto 1961 Roadster American, 195.6 OHV, T5 http://www.ramblerLore.com

george w Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jan/27/2013 Location: New Jersey Status: Offline Points: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote george w Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/10/2021 at 7:23am
	If it's the original AMC factory antenna there is no nut on the underside. The antenna is secured by the tapered chrome collar nut at the base of the antenna mast. It's the chrome piece with the two flat sides at the top. On the underside of the antenna is a loose, curved pot metal "shoe" that fit's into slots in the bottom of the antenna base where the cable enters. The shoe slides and pivots to mate up with and grip the underside surface of the cowl. The chrome antenna base has a mating portion on it's underside that engages with the shoe to sandwich the fender sheet metal between the shoe on the underside and the chrome base above. Once you get everything lined up you slip the chrome collar nut down the shaft, start to thread it by hand and then snug it up with a wrench while holding the antenna mast vertical. There should be a thin, circular rubber gasket that separates the chrome base from the fenders painted surface. AMC vendors like AMark sell this antenna gasket.
	Long time AMC fan. Ambassador 343, AMX 390, Hornet 360, Spirit 304 and Javelin 390. All but javelin bought new.

bigvinnie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: Dec/14/2009 Location: san diego Status: Offline Points: 26	Post Options Post Reply Quote bigvinnie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/10/2021 at 10:25pm
	Thanks for the replies.. there’s no access behind the mud shield, so its down to the cowl panel, or the fender has to be removed... hoping someone can solve the mystery... the whole assy is turning so i still need to have a look at the under side to see if something’s loose or broken. And I believe the antenna is original AMC. Edited by bigvinnie - Jan/10/2021 at 10:32pm

First_Gear Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/18/2010 Location: Mukilteo WA Status: Offline Points: 644	Post Options Post Reply Quote First_Gear Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/11/2021 at 9:46am
	It's clamped to the cowl through the fender. In fact you cannot remove the fender without first removing the antenna. If you have a kid or very small hands you might be able to reach through the kick panel vent and feel it but it's just a clamp no nut down there. The nut is on the top side. The whole base of the antenna is the nut. Grip the mast and spin the base.

6768rogues Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/03/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 6236	Post Options Post Reply Quote 6768rogues Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/11/2021 at 11:21pm
	On an American I think it is accessible through the hole where the heater gets air from the cowl vents, but it means removing the heater box. Not sure about your model.
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Trader Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: May/15/2018 Location: Ontario Status: Offline Points: 6881	Post Options Post Reply Quote Trader Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan/12/2021 at 5:11pm
	George is correct if it's a factory install. No access from the fender side. IF the swivel "shoe", think wall anchor, is turning, rotating the upper "nut" will not help. From inside the car follow the antenna wire. It goes through a 1" hole just above the upper door hinge hold down bolt access point that is with cowl drop downs for the inside vents. Small hands and very flexible required to put a hand through the door hinge accesses to reach and follow the antenna wire to the base. Let alone carry a tool in there to hold the base at the same time. A 4" flat screwdriver can be used - maybe! If it's that corroded that is spins, the best you usually can do is destroy the top of the antenna and drag the base out or pull it out the top and cut it loose. Use the old wire to fish the replacement.