Problem installing new Antenna Mast 1993 Camry

wondering if I need to

Sounds like yes - if you've got broken old pieces in there restricting the movement of the new plastic gear strip, I don't believe there's any other way.

Yes, opening the motor and removing all the remnants solved the problem. I may have to post another message though....as I'd hoped that the replacement attenna (which I should have done 5 years ago), would fix a radio reception issue that just started earlier last week....I have no A.M. Band reception. New attenna made no difference so it may be the a.m. tuner or some loose connection.....shoot.

If you are getting a signal from a nearby FM staion sounds like you have the antennor connector disconnected from one end or the other or possible a broken cable maybe near the antenna where you were working. AM in a car is very much affected by the lack of an antenna. I don't know how the connector attaches to the antenna. If all all else fails, one thing you could test with is a Radio Shack or other cheap car antenna connected directly to the radio.

If FM works perfectly, chances are that the radio is defective. Usually whatever you use the most breaks the most often. FM would have static if the antenna wasn't hooked up properly.