So i bought a new antenna mast (RockAuto, $9.25usd!). Instructions on bag are straightforward, EXCEPT for one thing.

I actually installed the new mast, first time, without a hitch, but i noticed when fully extended, the antenna was wobbly at the base. Long-story-short, i walk in the house and noticed a short "sleeve" on the couch. When i dumped the contents of the bag, i didnt see this sleeve, and there's no reference to it in the instructions.

I checked the old mast, and sure enough, there's a sleeve "glued" (I assume glued because of water and grit) to the bottom-most tube. I've attempted to slide the old sleeve off, but it's stuck in place.

Obviously, I'll have to remove the new mast to install the sleeve.
Question: Is it a simple matter to:
a) slide the sleeve down onto the bottom-most tube,
b) feed the toothed cable in and turn radio off
c) push bottom tube of mast, including sleeve, into motor's "receiving tube"
????

Or am i supposed to latch the sleeve (somehow) onto the bottom-most tube "in place" as can be seen in the photo:

 

It is that simple, you just slide it down, sadly before you wind the cable in.

 

I am unable to give you any insight on the installation of the antenna mast but I do have an interesting side note. Yesterday as I started my car the radio gave a series of beeps and to my surprise the face of the radio gave me a message to Clean Ariel Mast. What the heck!, now thats a new one for me.

 

You can turn that off if you want:
a) Turn ignition on, then turn radio on
c) Press "Tape Eject" and "AM/FM" button at the same time - "Setup" is displayed
d) Press "Preset 3" to toggle "Clean mast" reminder off or on

 

Turns out I didnt have to remove the mast at all.

I simply removed the mast retaining nut off (14mm open-end wrench), slide the sleeve down and into the receiver tube till it stopped. Install\tightened the mast retaining nut.

Mast now extends fully with no wobble; retracts to proper seating position (i.e., where "end ball" is mostly embedded in base).