Broke the XM radio/OnStar antenna cover...Yes, I'm an idiot!

26650 Views 17 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Hdjoe, Aug 4, 2014

ramu3527

Discussion Starter · Jan 8, 2014

Yeah so I was clearing the snow off the top of my 2008 Sierra when, POP! I broke the cover for the XM radio/OnStar antenna in half. Needless to say I was seeing red for about 15 minutes...

The dealer wants about $400 to fix it ($240 for the part and about $150 labor). Honestly, I'd almost consider it but I'm worried about the quality of the work.

That being said, in doing some searching, I found the part, OEM on ebay for $70, shipped. I'd be crazy to buy the one from the dealer. Even the one on GM parts direct is $100 less. My only concern now is doing the job myself.

Has anyone had their headliner down at all. It looks like I should be able to just drop the front of it. I have a sunroof which may even help matters as I'd have another angle from which to get at it.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Ray

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

BigBlue224x4

· #2 · Jan 8, 2014

If it is just the cover that popped off cant you get the new one to push on over it? Im wondering this to now....

Alfred Payne

· #3 · Jan 8, 2014

I dropped the front of my headliner to install cab lights. If you remove the A pillar trim, sun visor, and possibly the overhead console, you can access the antenna. I didn't really pay attention to how it mounts though.

kashmir

· #4 · Jan 8, 2014

2

Remove A pillar, sun visor, overhead console thingy and pull the weatherstrip from the top of the drivers side door.
You will be able to pull the headliner down plenty to get to the antenna. there is only one bolt holding the antenna on.
(see pic below) Take out the bolt, unplug the harness and pull out. There are five little phillips screws holding the cover onto the bottom plate, or if you're buying the whole antenna, just pop the new antenna in place and plug in the harness.
You shouldn't need to put silicone or anything on the antenna when you put it back on. I took mine off and plasti-dipped it red. Put it back on with the rubber gasket on it and have zero leaks.

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BigRedVictory

· #5 · Jan 8, 2014

I did the same both on the Malibu and the Truck . it was just the cover and I used adhesive to put it back on .. I didn't break anything otherwise.

Tim N.

ramu3527

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 8, 2014

Hey thanks for the insight folks! I think I'm going to try the install myself, in the spring of course...lol

I'll take pics and put it all on a thread.

I'll keep you posted...

Any other advice welcome!

Ray

CenCalVortekinit

· #7 · Jan 10, 2014

kashmir said:
Remove A pillar, sun visor, overhead console thingy and pull the weatherstrip from the top of the drivers side door.
You will be able to pull the headliner down plenty to get to the antenna. there is only one bolt holding the antenna on.
(see pic below) Take out the bolt, unplug the harness and pull out. There are five little phillips screws holding the cover onto the bottom plate, or if you're buying the whole antenna, just pop the new antenna in place and plug in the harness.
You shouldn't need to put silicone or anything on the antenna when you put it back on. I took mine off and plasti-dipped it red. Put it back on with the rubber gasket on it and have zero leaks.

I have a 2001 with the ugly looking antenna. I was wondering if I would be able to swap it out with a newer model antenna? e.g- 03-06

kashmir

· #8 · Jan 10, 2014

I would say that a newer style probably will not work.
Below is a pic of the connector on my "spare" which is off of an '07 NNBS.
The outside dimensions are identical to my '09, but the connector is different.
So, if I ever break my shell, I can swap, but I would need to use the guts and connector from my '09.

A quick search on ebay for "GM Shark Fin Antenna" shows a bunch of different antenna's and connectors for GM vehicles.
Why can't these kinds of things just be standardized?????

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ramu3527

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 10, 2014

Yeah, in searching I found the same thing. Several different part numbers and parts. The one in your pics, in fact, is different from the one I ordered. Mine, from what I've seen in the pics has 3 wires.

From what I understand, my antenna is for the XM radio as well as the OnStar.

What I ended up doing is going to the dealer and getting the info (and price) on the correct part for my truck, then, you guessed it, using the inter-webs to see what I could come up with. I found the part, OEM GM part, on ebay for $70, shipped. The dealer wanted $240!

Now, I am one to try and spend my money locally when I can but $170 difference?! Forget it!

CenCalVortekinit

· #10 · Jan 11, 2014

@Kashmir-Thanks for the helpful advice. I think I found a couple that just might work.

ramu3527

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 3, 2014

Just an update. Replacing that antenna is a breeze! Anybody have any questions, let me know...

Thanks for the help folks!

Ray

Hdjoe

· #12 · Aug 3, 2014

kashmir said:
Remove A pillar, sun visor, overhead console thingy and pull the weatherstrip from the top of the drivers side door.
You will be able to pull the headliner down plenty to get to the antenna. there is only one bolt holding the antenna on.
(see pic below) Take out the bolt, unplug the harness and pull out. There are five little phillips screws holding the cover onto the bottom plate, or if you're buying the whole antenna, just pop the new antenna in place and plug in the harness.
You shouldn't need to put silicone or anything on the antenna when you put it back on. I took mine off and plasti-dipped it red. Put it back on with the rubber gasket on it and have zero leaks.

Ramu, great job on installing yourself! Always good to NOT go to a dealership , do it yourself , save some big time cash!

Kashmir... Can u post a pic of your red plastidipped antenna? My truck has a black trim theme going on so i really can't do much for color on the antenna but I'm very curious to see your truck

ramu3527

Discussion Starter · #13 · Aug 4, 2014

^BIG TIME CASH...

The dealer wanted like $400 for the whole job, parts and labor. I got the part on eBay for $70...lol

Another example; I got into a little "fuss" with a late model Silverado and we clipped mirrors. Both the top and bottom covers on the mirror shattered. Other than that the mirror and all of it's functions were perfectly fine.

I went to the dealer (I usually start there for info and true part numbers) and was told I could buy the top cover but the bottom cover only comes with the whole mirror assembly. I have the SLT. It's a loaded, power mirror with heat, dim and power fold. WHOLESALE, it was $360. It's a crock! The bottom cover comes off the same way the top comes off. It's a scam they don't sell the bottom cover separately.

I found the whole mirror assembly on craigslist for $40 and just bought the top cover at the dealer (the top cover on the one from craigslist didn't match).

Point is, like Hdjoe said, do it yourself. F the dealer unless you have to. I get the feeling I'm preaching to the choir though...lol

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kashmir

· #14 · Aug 4, 2014

hdjoe, you can see it here......

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Kerry 55

· #15 · Aug 4, 2014

Hello Kashim .did you paint or plastic dip the cover ? also did it affect the reception in any way

kashmir

· #16 · Aug 4, 2014

Plasti dipped
No affect what so ever on reception
(I only listen to XM)

Kerry 55

· #17 · Aug 4, 2014

Thank you

Hdjoe

· #18 · Aug 4, 2014

kashmir said:
hdjoe, you can see it here......

That does look good! Red color matched... Nice!

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