I just bought a replacement antenna assembly off of ebay. I tried installing it today. Now i know why i should by OE parts. these replacement parts suck. You have jury-rig everything just for it come out right. my trim doesn't even fit over the mast! (that probably bothered my the most) now i have to deal with the ugly trim that it came with. well, i just wanted to share my experience of saving a buck with everyone else. i hope not all parts are like that!?

after some fiddlin' with the wiring I got it to work. at least it works now. after all that, i think the motor on my original antenna is still good. I may have just needed to replace the mast. anybody need an original antenna motor?

I have looked at those on eBay lots of times, and always remembered that I bought a replacement mast from my dealer for $32 or so. That was B4 I knew of the BBRD (no computer).

The mast came with a terrific set of instructions, which I have used several times since. The mast fit like a charm, and works just fine. Now I don't feel so bad about paying like double that eBay price. Thanks again - sorry you were hurt.

Regards,

Bob

:>)

I had purchased an aftermarket replacement mast off ebay for my 740 and it worked flawlessly.... As for the whole antenna assembly, no matter what car it is, it won't fit like the original if it's a universal....

Cliff Scott
89 DOHC740

I gave up with that myself, now i just buy volvo or bosch parts only, unless im dealing with ACC belts, fluids, and maybe things like fuses otherwise i call my buddy who cuts me the OE prices on volvo parts and get them through him, sure makes installing them easier thats for sure.

If you can't find decent aftermarket parts you can always do what I do and head to the nearest junk yard. I have pretty good luck with no-name aftermarket parts. Though I admit I never use them to replace important parts on the car.
--
1988 760Tic - 155,550 1966 M-B 230 sedan - 98,000 - Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us. - Bill Watterson

I'd do the same,but in my area all the volvos in the yards are stripped clean. looks like the turkey after thanksgiving dinner! I either have to take my '89 740 turbo to a shop, get parts offline, or settle with autozone(unfortunately).

We have all been there at one time or another. If you spend enough time on these boards there is at least one or two stories each month about junk after market parts. There is some good stuff out there but far more garbage than most will admit to buying. Brake pads, some brake rotors, wiper-blades, certain all metal radiators, radios, turbo's, U-Joints, seem to be better or just as good as OE parts. Some after market parts I have seen over the years that you need to stay away from are rubber bushings, timing belts, turbo hoses. As far as accessory drivebelts for the fan, alternator, and power steering pump I haven't heard anything good or bad on after market quality.