I don't have a shop manual. Is the power antenna supposed to be lubricated periodically? If so, with what?

 

I was woundering that myself...hmmmmm

 

Page 3-23 of my 1997 Owner's Manual says:

Dirt and other foreign matter on the power antenna rod may interrupt its operation. Clean the rod periodically with a damp cloth. This type of cleaning is especially important during the winter seasons in areas where road salt and other chemicals may be spread on road surfaces and splashed onto the antenna rod.

It's probably a good idea to lubricate the antenna after cleaning. I'm unsure whether a light oil such as WD-40 or a heavier one such as lithium grease is more beneficial for this purpose.

 

is this stuff the same gooey and silvery stuff on the metal bar that the window motor travels on? (inside the door panel).

thanks

 

Probably, although lithium grease is usually white.

 

Get some WD40 and a helper to turn your stereo on and off so you can clean it faster. Mine started to lock up and I cleaned the hell out of it. Works fine once again.

 

Take it through a carwash without retracting it... Let the bristles on the brush scrub it thoroughly as it gets ripped off the car.
You'll never have to worry about cleaning it again!!

(BTW, this is what happens when you're distracted; talking on the phone when going into a car wash...)