Antenna Mast replacement - HELP

My antenna mast broke on my '02 so I bought a replacement. We got everything taken apart (including the motor box) quite easily. The problem is getting it back together. At this point I'm ready to pony up some $$$ or beer or pizza to anyone who can get it back together and working correctly.

We have reassembled the thing numerous times, feeding it in about 3 inches and then having the motor pull in the rest with it back in the car and the power connected. It retracts just fine. The problem happens when we raise the antenna. The antenna goes up and just keeps going until the feed comes back out. ::Rant::

At this point I'm also wondering if I could just chuck the electric and replace it with a stationary non-power antenna.

Ok it's almost working now. A little wobbly and I can't keep the antenna from popping out the base when the antenna extends. I think I need some type of stopper on the antenna...

Where did you buy the mast? I got a replacement for my mom's lexus on Ebay. It's feed line was way too long. Maybe yours is too short.

bought the replacement part from the mazda dealership. it's the same length as the old one. The difference is the old had some slight metal ridges on the bottom and the new one is smooth.