Wingard antenna will go up but wont come down

cabinfever · 01-28-2018, 11:48 AM

I thought my worm gear was worn so bought a new one and replaced it. The antenna will go up but not come back down. Any ideas? Also question on the top plastic nut, should it go all the way down and bottom on the nut head. Seems if I go that far it is too tight to turn, but I'm concerned it will leak if not all the way down.

**chuckster57** · 01-28-2018, 12:51 PM

This should help:
http://www.winegard.com/help/images/e/e4/2451820.pdf

cabinfever · 01-28-2018, 01:07 PM

I have it together correctly, at least I think I do. I'm wondering if the elevating gear is worn enough to cause it to jam. It doesn't look worn, but I don't have a new one to compare to. I just went out and tried not going all the way up and it will lower. Only gets stuck if I go all the way up. Thinking the holes the pins go in on the elevating gear are wore just enough to cause some sort of jam when all the way up. Still, if anyone has any experience with this any thought would be appreciated. Thanks

**JRTJH** · 01-28-2018, 01:39 PM

I had an antenna several years ago that would hang up at times. I found a problem with the pin (#5 in the drawing at the link provided). The hole in the square tube was elongated and the elevating gear (#6) would twist and bind. I changed the square tube and all was good.

cabinfever · 01-28-2018, 03:14 PM

I'm beginning to think it is a little wear at all the holes and those small wear areas are adding to enough movement for binding. For the cost I will just order new tubes and elevating gear, then all will be new.

**JRTJH** · 01-28-2018, 03:21 PM

Make sure the holes in the rotating base aren't also elongated. If the base is worn, it might be cheaper to buy an entire new antenna (get the cheapest non-amplified version and use your existing head). But if the base is not worn, buying the square tubes and the gear will probably be your cheapest way to go. Good Luck and keep us posted !!!!

cabinfever · 01-28-2018, 04:51 PM

The pins in the base seem nice and snug. I'm leaning toward the hole in the plastic elevating gear, but will take a look at the tubes tomorrow as well. They did have a bit of movement in them but didn't look at the holes when working on it. I will post what I find and the final solution. We sold the camper yesterday and thought this would be an easy repair! LOL

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