Broke my shark fin and wondering how to fix it.

We’re on a road trip, and while pulled over at the Very Large Array, the wind whipped my tonneau cover open (I had unlatched it). It flew up and hit the shark fin. It’s loose now and doesn’t sit tight against the roof. I need to do something before our trip back home and I’m exploring options.

Ideally I’d like to remove it and see if there’s just some small plastic part that is snapped and can be glued back together. It appears that in order to do that I need to remove the head liner. How big of an undertaking is that? Do I need upholstery and trim removal tools to do that? I have some at home but not here.

Another option would be to just seal it with silicone, but I’d prefer to actually repair it.


UPDATE: I was able to fix the antenna and I thought I’d post about it for anyone else with a 2021 who happens to whack their shark fin with something.

There are two components to the fin - the electronics part and the cover itself. The functional electronic part is held on by a bolt that goes through the roof from underneath, and the cover is held onto that part with flexible tabs. In my case, the cover had just been partially knocked off of the electronic part. A few tabs were still in place, enough to keep the cover held partially on. There wasn’t enough flexibility in the assembly or roof for me to get the clips to snap back into place by just pushing down on the antenna, plus the roof had become very slightly dented by the impact of my cover.

As others have said elsewhere, you have to get under the headliner to get to the bolt that holds the antenna on. For the double cab, there are two coat hanger hooks along the back and a handle on each side. All of these are held on by flexible metal clips. Pry the covers off, the use needle nosed pliers to squeeze the clips closed so they can come out, or use the screwdriver to pry them out.

You also have to partially remove the plastic molding on each side behind the side windows. Pry the oval shaped covers (they say “SRS airbag” on them) open, then use a 10mm socket to remove the bolt. Pull back gently on the top of the posts to pull the clips out. You’ll only need to pull the tops out, not the whole cover.

Open the back window, and climb into the bed. The next part was the trickiest for me because I had to do it all by feel. Reach up under the headliner and find the bold that holds it on. Use a 10mm socket to remove it. It will come off along with a square bracket. To unclip the wiring, push the red tab toward the passenger side (toward the wired end in the photo) and pry down on the drivers side end.



Now you can remove the whole antenna assembly.

Before you reinstall, put the bolt and bracket on the bottom of the antenna so you can see how the bracket needs to be oriented. The bracket has three metal tabs on it and a flat side with no tab. The flat, tab-less edge should face the front of the antenna. I also found it easier to reattach the wiring by pushing it up through the hole in the roof from underneath so that I could see to attach it to the antenna.

 

Headliner? Sounds like a huge job warranty it. "I don't know what happened it's just loose!"

 

It's enough of a pain in the ass to drop the headliner that I would suggest a thin bead of silicon to get you home where you can take the time to do it right and take your time.

Also, whatever you decide, this will help you immensely during the repair.

 

Second this.

 

The truck is only 6 months old so now I’m seriously considering this.

 

Masking tape for now then take to dealer for warranty claim . Play the stupid card worst case they don’t fix it and you will have to use your car insurance .

 

The information in this video is outdated. This is the THIRD gen forum, you know...

 

Hard disagree.

"Deepest Bluest" is timeless, a Grecian urn of perfection.

 

I believe it is bolted from the underside. The worst part may be to come though as replacements are very expensive as the 2020+ have the radio, XM, and connected services antennas in there. Some one broke one a while back. I recall the part being something like $1,200.

 

Here's the only drawing that I could find of the antenna assembly...

 

Here's a thread from earlier this year that might provide you with more info...I second the action for temporary repair to get home and then get repaired by dealer.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/shark-fin-hole-size.709207/

EDIT - ...and here's one from December 2020:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/shark-fin-replacement-on-2020-tacoma.700362/

 

Repair or silicone could leak. I would disassemble, find the broken part, replace. Also hope the roof opening is not damaged or warped. Could leak water if not straight.

 

Silver foil air conditioning tape will hold things together and keep it dry until you can get it repaired properly. The foil tape will lay down smooth and not be pulled up by the wind as you drive, it adheres well and pulls away cleanly when removed.

Do not use fabric duct tape, it will just make a gummy mess

 

WTF?

 

This is correct. It is not that bad. It bolts from underneath. You can drop the headliner to gain access, not remove the entire headliner. Pull the pillar trim, handles and few other pieces and drop the liner enough to get the the bolt.

86300j is the base that sits on the roof that has the gasket and bolt from underneath. About $200. The 86077 is a plastic appearance cover. It snaps into the base I believe. It comes painted from factory, if the plastic cover is only damages you should still be fine, the gasket seal is below the base. You may be able to snap in the cover, or order an new color coded one to install

 

I think it may be just the cover. Any idea how it comes off?

 

Looks like you will have to pull it apart. Check this thread out

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...shark-fin-with-a-oem-satellite-stubby.552228/

edit, looks like have to screw fin from underside

 

Yup. As if it won't get whacked by a branch or something when the Taco is put to use.

It should be flat like the one @MESO made.

 

Don't be a piece of shit and take their advice. You broke it through no failure of any sort covered by the warranty, just man up and fix it yourself and don't lie to the dealer to save a couple bucks.

 

Totally agreed. The part of their advice that I wanted to follow was seeing if it could be covered under warranty. I already called the dealer and told them exactly what happened. I wasn’t okay with pretending I didn’t know hat happened. I did ask them if the warranty would cover it. I figured they would say no, and they did, but I thought it couldn’t hurt to ask.