Burford radio aerial replacement

by JoeK Fri Oct 19, 2018 5:21 pm

I recently had to replace the radio aerial on my Burford as it had been snapped off at the base. I was hoping that I could get to it by removing the locker/cubby hole above the drivers seat. Unfortunately the aerial is too far to the left and I ended up removing all the overhead lockers at the front of the van. If anyone has to replace the aerial and wants the DIY route this is how I did it.

1. Remove the material covered trim below the the lockers. Held by cross head screws covered by plastic caps.
2. Remove the long locker door. Piano hinge with lots of small Pozi screws.
3. Remove the side cubbies. Sort of pocket screws covered by plastic caps. These cubbies took a bit of fiddling to get out due to their odd shape.
4. Remove front of top locker. Several KD fasteners (although someone in the factory couldn’t be bothered fitting them all).
5. Remove sides of top locker. KD fasteners and Pozi screws at the bottom edge covered by stick on dots.
6. Remove narrow wedge shaped piece at the very back of locker. Three Pozi screws hidden by stick on dots.
7. Remove two screws on the roof headlining.

This will allow the headlining to be slid to the left. The base of the aerial is covered by insulation which id held by double sided tape. Undo the three wires and the the large nut (22mm open ended spanner) can be undone. Up on the roof I used fine shop knife blade to slice through the foam pad and silicone that hold the aerial to the roof. I then cleaned up the area using a fine scotchbrite, silicone remover and finally mentholated spirit. Fitting is the reverse. I only used a small amount of silicone around the hole in the roof as the self adhesive pad on the base of the new aerial is quite large. I bought a new genuine Mercedes part on eBay for £60 which seems expensive, but I wanted to keep the van original.

Its quite possible someone will have discovered a better solution which they could share.

Burford radio aerial replacement Img_0211

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Burford radio aerial replacement Img_0210

by inspiredron Fri Oct 19, 2018 6:34 pm

Well done - That's a useful guide for removing th elining at the front for any reason. Thank you for sharing, particularly as a new member, and welcome to the forum.

by groundhog Fri Oct 19, 2018 7:01 pm

Thanks for sharing this info. Did you replace it with a shark fin ready for digital?

by inspiredron Fri Oct 19, 2018 7:18 pm

groundhog wrote:Thanks for sharing this info. Did you replace it with a shark fin ready for digital?

Erm - I read that JoeK had used an original Merc aerial - sounds like a like for like to me scratch head

by groundhog Fri Oct 19, 2018 7:23 pm

inspiredron wrote:
groundhog wrote:Thanks for sharing this info. Did you replace it with a shark fin ready for digital?
Erm - I read that JoeK had used an original Merc aerial - sounds like a like for like to me

I used to be stupid but I am getting better now. rolleyes

Will read the thread properly next time scratch head

by inspiredron Fri Oct 19, 2018 9:14 pm

Sorry if I was a bit rude! blushes

by groundhog Fri Oct 19, 2018 10:27 pm

No you weren't I was a bit stupid not reading the. Post properly

Burford radio aerial replacement

Burford radio aerial replacement

Re: Burford radio aerial replacement

Re: Burford radio aerial replacement

Re: Burford radio aerial replacement

Re: Burford radio aerial replacement

Re: Burford radio aerial replacement

Re: Burford radio aerial replacement