audisity

Anyone has a antenna base for sale or know a parts retailer that sells one. The rubber seal/grommet is cracked/torn badly and need to be replaced, Tried shokan and a few other retailers and dealership but no luck, dealership said item was discontinued, seems like 1998 quattro was the only year that used the manual antenna.

carbonLORD

I remember replacing the broken one on my old 98 2.8 like 4 years ago. Part was on backorder back then, dealer promised the part when I bought the car and it took the greater part of a year to finally receive. I just had them send it to me rather then drive 20 miles to have them install it. I should have had them install it, as it was a PITA to get the old base and cable out, and rconnect the new one. (All for an antenna that does nothing but controll the cell phone I never used in the car connection kit ayway).

At any rate, it might be more cost and time effective to take the car to the body shop, have them fill the hole in and call it a day.

Just an idea.

Good luck, used is the only way and its a long shot, some 9 years after that part was made.

Boston Driver

according to the ETKA, the part number is 8D5-053-539. Using an on-line parts search, the following Audi/VW dealerships show at least one in stock:

BIENER AUDI INC
GREAT NECK, NY 11021 516-829-2834

AUDI OF TYSONS CORNER
VIENNA, VA 22182 703-442-8200

CROWN VOLKSWAGEN
HOLLAND, MI 49423 800-473-5953

KEY AUDI
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32216 800-423-9934

BRAMAN MOTORCARS
WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409 800-216-1948

DEAN MCCRARY IMPORTS
MOBILE, AL 36606 800-304-3326

CHAMPION AUDI
POMPANO BEACH, FL 33064 800-940-4020

AUDI FORT MYERS
FT.MYERS, FL 34102 877-999-5247

DFW AUDI
EULESS, TX 76040 877-424-2834

Worldimpex.com lists this grommet as a $4 part. Unfortunately, if you are seeking a replacement aerial...there is not part number for the aerial itself in the ETKA.

For reference, the grommet is #35 in the diagram below (please note that I know that #33 is highlighted, because the black cirlce interfered with the diagram if #35 is highlighted)...

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/hliu55/reference/A6_antenna.jpg">

Hope this helps!!!

GPZ

The radio antenna is in the rear window. I just unscrewed my antenna out of the base. If I ever get the rear fender repainted for whatever reason, I'm going to have it removed altogether and the hole filled.

If that grommet is leaking, you could try and seal it.

rdunbariii

Thanks for including a diagram.

With this information, I was able to locate a replacement part from these guys:

http://orientalparts.com/Grommet-For...-P2199828.aspx

I just installed it on my '98 A6Q. A prefect fit.

Aleks Stovba

Look up items number: "8D5035539" on Google.

jcman

I'm pretty sure the dude found his part# during the past two years...LOL!

Snowdog_216

Summary - I would not cut the antenna cable.
On my 98 A6 2.8 I have the fixed approximately 18" antenna mounted on the rear driver's side fender.
The rubber grommet was cracked and had a minor leak. I stuffed towel above my jack that is inside the removable panel. Then aired out or threw away the towel twice a year.
Yeah, I know, not that best idea, but fixing other things always took priority.
I decided to fix it. Plan - remove antenna, clean around hole, get ride of rusted and bubbled paint. Cut a circle out of sheet metal a little bigger than the hole. Put JB weld on upper side of circle, from inside car, push metal circle up against fender. With that in place, sand prime, bondo area, prime, paint. Other option is to cut circle to fit in hole, then tack weld it into the hole, so will be basically flush with fender.
I have not go there yet, was trying to remove it, wire bush off area and put HVAC tape over hole. I was taking car to have random alarm issue looked at and I wanted to make sure there was no water in that area.
I have the CD changer installed, which was not easy to install, so I could not remove it. I should have unscrewed antenna top part, that is easy to do. But I was in a rush, so did not think of that, so just said OK, cut the cable. I did that and NO radio signal.
So at least on my car, that antenna may be for a cell phone, but is the AM and FM radio antenna, no doubt about it.

My mechanic said he has replaced a lot of those on older Audis and VWs. I had to buy a flat antenna, I just got one at auto parts store, maybe better to get one online. Will see.
He will solder the existing coax cable to the new antenna and put it above the metal deck lid and under the deck material.
Also I spoke with a sound shop and the guy said he had a few better options if that does not work.