Ok, here's the situation...

[Magnified]

Amongst the fleet of expeditions I have, there is a 2019 MAX, over 100K, otherwise in passable shape. The Sat / Uni antenna is right above the rearview mirror / ceiling console. The cover is loose, and makes a rattling noise in the wind. Had my body-shop owner friend take a look at it. He says the attachment points are stretched (probably by the large spinning roof brush in car-washes). Sat / radio, etc..., work fine as is. New antenna cover assembly with install is 400 to 600 bucks with dropping the headliner. Besides Magnified, I am also occasionally Bull In China Shop. I am contemplating getting some superglue / construction adhesive, acetone, etc,... and lifting the cover, cleaning all the surfaces, roughing them up for a good bond, and just gluing that POS on the roof (glue itself with act as weather stripping / seal). Regale me with stories of why this is stupid and will not work! Quick!

 

[DavidKFla]

do it. what could go wrong?

 

[Magnified]

LOL awesome

 

[Hunter]

Amongst the fleet of expeditions I have, there is a 2019 MAX, over 100K, otherwise in passable shape. The Sat / Uni antenna is right above the rearview mirror / ceiling console. The cover is loose, and makes a rattling noise in the wind. Had my body-shop owner friend take a look at it. He says the attachment points are stretched (probably by the large spinning roof brush in car-washes). Sat / radio, etc..., work fine as is. New antenna cover assembly with install is 400 to 600 bucks with dropping the headliner. Besides Magnified, I am also occasionally Bull In China Shop. I am contemplating getting some superglue / construction adhesive, acetone, etc,... and lifting the cover, cleaning all the surfaces, roughing them up for a good bond, and just gluing that POS on the roof (glue itself with act as weather stripping / seal). Regale me with stories of why this is stupid and will not work! Quick!

Worst case scenario, you end up paying for an approved fix, best case scenario, you save big time.
Doooo it!!!!
There really is no downside to this.

 

[covidcommander]

Just use a good all weather silicone and it'll be fine. Just clean surfaces well.

 

[Bobo]

Can you buy the parts and change it yourself? Or are the parts 400-600?

 

[Mean Cat]

Do it, if you haven't yet, what are you waiting on!!
Try it & save money.

 

[Magnified]

Can you buy the parts and change it yourself? Or are the parts 400-600?

My understanding is the cover alone is not the issue. The way the ford setup works is the cover attaches to antenna assembly and lower part of the assembly acts as the anchor on the inside of the roof, so when the threads get stripped you simply cannot tighten it any more and, even if the antenna is working fine, you still have to replace it to get the new threads. I'm thinking if I physically anchor the unit at the top too it should work. At least for a while. And I'm not planning on ever getting rid of it (I tend to keep these a long time for business use, as kid cars (my daughter is about to leave for college, boys about to start to learn to drive), so it's not a issue of "ruining" a high value or planned trade vehicle. Oh, and to answer the question: the antenna assembly itself is 300 to 400 OEM

 

[DavidKFla]

You're overthinking a very simple thing. Just glue the damn thing on. If it comes loose again, try gluing it again or replacing it.

 

[Magnified]

And more from Bull In China Shop - on a 2016 Expedition EL we have bad torque converter shudder, so I'm paying 6K to have the trans replaced. The car has 165K. Yes, its twisted logic, but here's how that's justified. It's basically my daughters car this point, local usage only, no long trips etc... It's a known quantity (had it since 2018, put 100K on it). Has been incredibly reliable; great safety ratings. With it as a trade in and 6K down couldn't get anything I think of as equivalent, and would have a whole new set of unknowns to deal with. Also, the trans comes with a 3 year, unlimited mileage warranty from Ford, valid at any dealer anywhere in the country. So, we'll get 3 more years out of it, can use as a kid and/or business car that whole time, and then get rid of it.

lol, with one of the other ones thats 4WD I'm thinking of having it chopped, suspension worked, and motor upped to Hellcat-range power, when it retires from daily business duty. Assuming I live that long.

 

[Magnified]

Updated - over the Xmas break I cleaned that fin up and glued it down. Won't bore you with all the details (had to have my kids help and opened the sunroof so they could stand up in it). The alcohol left some white residue where it removed the wax/polish but all that wiped down easily. Has withstood multiple car washes, etc... so far. Everything still works antenna-wise; no leaking (but there wasn't any to begin with, so that's no big deal). Saved a few C-notes. And got to do something car related. We'll see how long it lasts.