Community Forums

Airstream14 · 11-23-2014, 06:55 PM

I have a 1999 Airstream class A with most likely the orig. Winegard batwing antenna. It does not have the wingman on it so I want to upgrade however the antenna when raised and you are on the roof so you can look at it is able to wobble around maybe 4 inches or so. Also this antenna when fully in the up position is on a slight angle from top to bottom I think that is the way they were in 1999. I have noticed the new ones are straight up. They look a lot better straight up

I took the thing apart and lubricated everything and noticed a black rubber ring in the base where the crank worm gear goes thru the base had a break in it but it still seems to work. As far as I can tell nothing is bent or broken. My dilemma is should I get the wingman or get the entire Winegard antenna mechanism complete replacement? If this is normal to have some wobble it would save me a lot of labor and some cash to just replace the antenna head and be done with it. Any input would be appreciated

RV Wizard · 11-24-2014, 02:49 AM

It sounds like the rotation plate retaining nut is loose. There is a long tube nut tool used to tighten these. To access, simply remove the crank handle, spring and ceiling rotator. The nut is up inside the assembly. Good luck and keep us posted.

Airstream14 · 11-24-2014, 08:54 AM

Wow, I did not see any nut up in the bottom of it when looking. It looked like the only thing holding downward pressure was the spring, and when I crank it up the shaft with the crank on it wobbles all around the hole in the white plastic plate on the ceiling. If I am on the roof I can actually lift the antenna up a quarter inch at least. I will look at it tonight unless there is a big storm and get back to you as to what I find out. I wonder if that nut is just missing.

Airstream14 · 11-24-2014, 09:29 AM

Just another note. The wobble I am talking about is between the base plate and the upper assembly not between the baseplate and the roof. It is secured to the roof very well.

Airstream14 · 11-29-2014, 10:44 AM

I just went out and removed the lower assembly and there is no nut in there someone must have lost it or could not get it back on and threw it away.
Is there a place i can get replacement parts for this ?

wildtoad · 11-29-2014, 11:55 AM

Don't know where to just get the retaining nut so good luck. You might try Winegard customer support they have a good selection of replacement parts on their website.