Roof antenna lacks smooth operation

[garlic]

Our roof antenna has stopped its normal smooth operation, particularly when lowering. It works, but that is the most that can be said for it. It requires two hands, one to crank, one to keep the crank centered. Any ideas?

[Chris_Bryant]

John&Joey wrote:

garlic wrote:
...snip... It requires two hands, one to crank, one to keep the crank centered. Any ideas?

This is the part that sounds funny.

That's fairly common with a thick roof- when it gets hard to turn, the shaft is so long that it wobbles while cranking. It's just a 1/4" aluminum shaft only supported at the top.

[John_Joey]

garlic wrote:
...snip... It requires two hands, one to crank, one to keep the crank centered. Any ideas?

This is the part that sounds funny.

Silicone will not fix it if the nut is coming loose. If that is the case then a special tool is required to tighten it from the inside. As I remember it's a special socket that is six inches, an extension will not work. Again read the manual to figure it out, myself I've never needed to do that job so no hands on help here.

[Dick_B]

and make sure it's not broken anywhere creating a bind.

[Chris_Bryant]

From the RV.Net blog:

[camperpaul]

I lube mine with Loctite Silicone Dry Lube

[Bill_Satellite]

Raise the antenna about 45 degrees and use silicone spray (never WD-40 or other similar) inside the housing and on the gears. Crank up and donw a few times and then spray a bit more.
On the base you may find a small black cap. If so, remove this and spray a bit onto the base as well. Rotate and spray all the way around. If you don't have the cap then spray with nozzle between the base and the top housing the same way.
This should be done about 2 times per year for best operation and to ensure the o-rings that keep things sealed up do not dry out.

[garlic]

Located owner's manual on the www. It says to spray with silicone while in down position and raise/lower a few times to distribute silicone. Will do, Thanks for the directions.

[Lynnmor]

If you have a Winegard, get out the owners manual and read how to lubricate it.