[khomer2]

Welcome Denver_Del,

Nice start with your 1st post.

===>>> Please update your user CP info....

click on your icon----> click on Account Settings---->
goto Account Details----> add vehicle details---->
ADD your make model YEAR ----> click save

 

[Denver_Del]

Exterior: Removal of old broken Antenna Assembly-body from roof mount location:

1. Lift up to remove:

2. Clean dirty area.

3. Remove all of old Seal from Antenna Assembly-body

4. Use Torx S2 T9 driver to remove old retention screws

5. Clean off all old Seal material gunk

Note: Inspect and clean board and Antenna for serviceability and to make-ready for installation of new Shroud & Seal

 

[Denver_Del]

Interior: Rear Storage Compartment Area:

1. Re-install of Antenna Assembly-body retention-nut to threaded Assembly-body bolt

Note: Ensure that the (3) Antenna/GPS signal & electrical wires are seated in the gap-are of the Retention-nut before starting to tighten it securely back to the threaded

2. Tighten Retention-nut completely and inspect roof area to make sure no open space is left and the assembly is not still loose

Sensitive content, not recommended for those under 18

Show Content

Interior:

1. Re-install Trim panel Headliner Retention-plug

2. Re-install Headliner Trim panel cover

Note: Ensure that the weatherstrip is seated properly & snugly using Trim wedge tool

3. Install Complete !!

Good Luck, I hope this helps you be successful with your repair!

 

[amgdvl]

nice writeup and pics.... but.... did you install your antenna reversed?

 

[Denver_Del]

nice writeup and pics.... but.... did you install your antenna reversed?

Nope. I installed it correctly.t

Note: Do to the (10) photos per post limit, I had to make it in four parts: Part 1, Part 2a, Part 2b and Part 3.

 

[Sam Cogley]

I think you could have made replies to yourself in the first post to get around that, but either way works.

I wish they sold that seal by itself. The full kit isn't cheap, and it doesn't seem to be in stock most places. My housing is fine, but the seal is a bit dried out.

 

[amgdvl]

Great Writeup by @Denver_Del ! ...we need more like this

 

[Clint Rowdy]

Just bought same 2003 with 5.0L so ML500. 2 days later a few drops of water dripped down on rubber cargo mat under antenna. Bought some neoprene sheets $15 super cheap on Amazon. Arrives in 1 day.
Will pull off antenna tomorrow and re-seat on top of a sheet and cut around it to create perfect seal.
FM radio gets no reception. Perhaps the water damaged something. AM works fine. Nav disc is missing so can't even test that. Black spot on LCD.
May swap whole radio eventually.

Thanks for the step by step!

 

[Sam Cogley]

Just bought same 2003 with 5.0L so ML500. 2 days later a few drops of water dripped down on rubber cargo mat under antenna. Bought some neoprene sheets $15 super cheap on Amazon. Arrives in 1 day.
Will pull off antenna tomorrow and re-seat on top of a sheet and cut around it to create perfect seal.
FM radio gets no reception. Perhaps the water damaged something. AM works fine. Nav disc is missing so can't even test that. Black spot on LCD.
May swap whole radio eventually.

Thanks for the step by step!

That's not the radio antenna.

 

[Clint Rowdy]

Well. It's done. Here are the pics and comments. Hope it helps others.

Seems someone changed the stub antenna to sharkfin style. It leaked.

I removed plastic and unscrewed retaining nut.

Someone put black caulk in the past. Had to clean the roof down to the paint.

Fit the antenna over the 3/16 neoprene sheet. Need thick because sharkfin is flat and doesn't match curvature of roof.

The clip that was in there was plastic and homemade using a plastic white toilet seat bolt and nut. Crazy!
Photo shows I replaced with brass. But plastic wouldn't hold tight enough to seal.
Had to remove a 2nd time and create a bracket from aluminum. Where's my disc grinder and belt sander?

The metal was right enough to seat properly. Several rainy south Florida says and not a drop inside.

If the GPS receiver works is another matter. Nav won't load bc says DVD missing.

 

[Denver_Del]

Nice DIY on a previous not-so-sealed DIY job.

Have you tried to do a radio reset (do only if you have the OEM Mercedes-Benz factory radio code)?

 

[Clint Rowdy]

Nice DIY on a previous not-so-sealed DIY job.

Have you tried to do a radio reset (do only if you have the OEM Mercedes-Benz factory radio code)?

I do not have the code. Unsure if I want it. $200 can get me a 7inch screen without black spot, updated GPS maps, rear camera, ODB2 engine readout for virtual gauges and More!

 

[springerfever]

Clint....go with the new technology....the ML's are ripe for tasteful upgrades. I had a new Kenwood headhunt and subwoofer installed recently (along with a backup camera) and its really nice to have those features.

New speakers would be nice, but the factory BOSE sound pretty damn good !!

 

[Clint Rowdy]

but the factory BOSE sound pretty damn good !!

Yeah 😊 and mine has the Bose system. Haven't heard them yet bc only get AM radio.

 

[2000 E 320 White Wagon]

Yeah 😊 and mine has the Bose system. Haven't heard them yet bc only get AM radio.

Does your Factory Bose headunit not have CD slot / Tape + CD Changer ?

That should do it....use mine everyday.

David

 

[cmitch]

I repaired mine using a 3D printed unit from a former member here sgtpepper. I wished those were still for sale.

 

[Clint Rowdy]

Does your Factory Bose headunit not have CD slot / Tape + CD Changer ?

Yes. One CD one tape slot behind fold down screen. CD changer where jack should be. Mine came jackless.

 

[RichDiesel]

I do not have the code. Unsure if I want it. $200 can get me a 7inch screen without black spot, updated GPS maps, rear camera, ODB2 engine readout for virtual gauges and More!

You can call MBUSA and they will give you the code

 

[andisawabear]

What if the bottom nut comes off but the black sleeve stays on the threaded rod and doesn’t allow the antenna assembly to come out. Do I just need to pull harder on the antenna? Hopefully this makes sense.