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REMOVING STEREO - UPDATE!!!!

Posted: 26 Jul 2006 08:39 pm
by Sam340
Have put some rear speakers in the back of my 340 today...
Went to take stereo out so i could swap it over for my CD player and attatch rear wiring.

Started off by using Din Keys, which i have always used and they didnt work. :?

I then tried slipping knife blade down the sides of the stereo but to no avail.

I then moved clock / ashtray thinking that i would be able to reach the back of stereo and give it a helping push out from behind but stereo is in its own plastic surrounded unit.

Then proceded to take glovebox out to get in that way and still couldnt get to it..

Are the headunits bolted in to the car at the back?.... if so how do you get to it...??

Any suggestions please, getting fustrated :evil: ... dont want to get angry and damage any part of my dash / facia

Posted: 26 Jul 2006 08:50 pm
by Ali
It definately shouldn't be bolted in, I think they just are a PITA to get out really, can't get in from behind as the only small hole is to let the wiring through, think you'll just have to stick to jiggling about with the din keys, seem to remember having the same trouble with mine and now my head unit doesn't stay in, likes flying out of the dash at me under heavy acceleration in 1st :lol:

Posted: 26 Jul 2006 08:52 pm
by Sam340
Great lol,


Really went at it wiggling whilst pulling and all sorts, was trying not to break origional stereo just in case. Might have to take a more heavy handed approach tommorow!! :twisted:

Cheers
Sam

Posted: 26 Jul 2006 09:51 pm
by d3k4y0
If you take the cover underneath the stearing column off (the little carpet stuff) you can get to the back of the stereo to give it a shove from the back (follow the centre console column up)

If the stereo is anything like the one that was in ray when you got it, you can't get any purchhase with the din keys so put them in (or make some from wire coathangers if din ones wont fit at all) then push it from behind, shouldn't need any real brute force, just some gentle persuasion

Posted: 26 Jul 2006 10:05 pm
by D4V2K1
Mine was bolted in from the back. Best bet is to take the glovebox out (6 screws) then you get plenty of room to see whats what.

Posted: 26 Jul 2006 10:18 pm
by antiekeradio
yep the OEM radio's sometimes are bolted in from behind.

sure thing to check when it won't come out with the din keys :wink:

Posted: 26 Jul 2006 11:07 pm
by Sam340
Hmmm Have taken glovebox out but cant see anything apart from the plastic box that the stereo sits in....

If it was bolted in i dont see how i would be able to get to anything to undo it........

oh well will have another crack 2moro.

cheers

Sam

Posted: 26 Jul 2006 11:30 pm
by redline
look for a little nut (no not you James ) at the back of the plastic cowl that encases the radio , sometimes they are bolted through the cowl to support the rear end

Posted: 27 Jul 2006 09:55 am
by 5lab
i used a crowbar last time :D

try getting the surround out first, rather than the stereo. i've not seen a surround that doesnt come out with a little persuasion.

Posted: 27 Jul 2006 09:59 am
by redline
5lab wrote:i used a crowbar last time :D
subtle as ever

Posted: 27 Jul 2006 12:39 pm
by Chris_C
5lab wrote:try getting the surround out first, rather than the stereo. i've not seen a surround that doesnt come out with a little persuasion.
Dude... are you telling me that you've got that surround out with the HU still in and not damaged the dash? Thats how the theiving t*ssers nicked my stereo, but they left a nice screwdriver mark on it for me.

As above for help though, take the two covers off, coat hanger style keys in, and gently wiggle from back and front, and check that bolt. You're new CD player should have a rubber bung on a bolt, if the old one is bolted, it'll be in that place on the back face of the unit.

Posted: 27 Jul 2006 12:49 pm
by Sam340
AAARGGGGHHHHH.....

Really starting to wind me up now... been at it for about an hour.. wont budge...

Took the glovebox out again as suggested as well as the panel under the steering column but still couldnt get any real access to the back... could just about feel back of head unit with fingertips but thats it.

I then thought i could take the whole facia panel off and started taking out clock etc but according to haynes to remove the whole panel you have to remove two screws that are inside the stereo bit.....????

I have never had so many problems taking out a stereo before... i feel like giving up but cant bring myself to listen to tapes!!!!

Posted: 27 Jul 2006 03:29 pm
by redline
nuthin wrong with tapes , ive got about 300 of the bloody things

Posted: 27 Jul 2006 05:08 pm
by 5lab
put a thin bit of metal in one side of the facia adapter. it is held in with clips - one each side, you should be able to push the clip towards the stereo, that side will suddenly pop out; do the same on the other side and you're onto a winner

Posted: 28 Jul 2006 11:25 am
by garethreece
I got a Volvo 4 stereo in mine with the knobs for Vol/tuning and you remove the head off the 2 knobs and poke wires into a little hole behind that releases the clip. I get the instruction book out if yours is similar and my instructions are two vauge.