The antenna mast on my Express 1500 only extends or distends halfway. Haynes manual said to remove the mast is a piece of cake. I bought a new antenna mast from my local dealer and instructions also say piece of cake. However, the "socket" they supply to remove the nut is too small and the mast base has 3 spring barbs inside the housing that do not let the mast extend and pull out as instructions promise.

Anyone know how to bind those springs to pull out mast? Or is there another trick? To force them is to bend then outward like a wall molly and then the mast base will never pull out.