RV Antenna Will Not Rotate

[Kim C]

Our RV antenna will not rotate from inside the RV. It can be rotated from the roof with moderate resistance and binding. I have lubricated around the base of the gear housing and also in the lubrication hole. We are currently in Park City, Utah with considerable snow, thawing, and ice on the roof and antenna base. Is the bearing stainless steel? I believe water has gotten into the bearing resulting in rust and possible damage from freezing. If this is the case, I presume a new gear housing kit and base plate will be required. Is this correct?

[Winegard-Mobiletech]

There are several things that can cause something like this.

FIrst, I am assuming that you are talking about the Sensar antenna.

Rotation is aluminum on plastic so corrosion is not much of an issue.

More likely, you have one of three things.

1. 'Crud' in the bearing
2. The 15/16th nut holding the unit together has gotten to tight
3. Something in the hole that the directional handle runs through has changed and is now rubbing on the handle's shaft.

Start by removing the interior parts, the crank handle, the directional handle and the cieling plate.

With these out of the way look into the hole, is there anything that could be rubbing on the directional handle?

Does the side of the directional handle show any signs of wear?

Next, clear up against the top of the hole is a 15/16th nut. Back this off 1/16th turns and see if that makes a differnce. If it does not you may need to remove this nut and pull the gear housing up slightly to clean between the gear housing and the base plate.

Having to take the unit apart is rare.