P5 head unit removal problems

[mazdaspeed777]

I tried to take out the stock head unit on my P5 so I could paint the radio trim and the sucker wouldn't budge. I made the tools from a coat hanger and built them specifically fallowing some directions from www.protege323.com in the DIY section. All the clips felt and sounded like they disingaged and when I tried to pull it out it didn't budge a bit. I pulled and pulled and nothing! Does anyone have some tips for me or know what im doing wrong?? Please help

 

[sam1]

You just have to get the clips in there just right. I can stop by this weekend and give you a hand if you would like. let me know...

 

[altspace]

Just pulled out mine the other day. It's easier to pull from inside by removing the blank cover between the knobs, unless you have the tape or MD. It was sticky though. You just have to work it loose.

 

[Brian MP5T]

Remover from inside.

Remove the Glove Box and Reach in..

 

[chuyler1]

The clips are essentially springs. Just sticking a wire in the hole will not disengage them. You need to apply quite a bit of force to them, pulling them away from the unit (toward the rear view mirrors) as you pull them out.

 

[chuyler1]

Ok, perhaps this visual will make sense...

<img src="http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=93866&stc=1&d=1162531241">

If you are not using the ford removal tools then it is obviously a little more difficult. With the Protege stereo you actually need two sets or something strong enough to pull in the clips while you pull out the unit. I have had success with a few small screwdrivers but that is only with the help of pushing from the opposite side.

 

[mazdaspeed777]

Thanks for all the replys guys. Yah it sounds like a two man job for sure. I will call yah sam if I have time to do it(thanks for the offer btw). Does anyone know if it is possible to remove the radio trim without removing the headunit??

 

[chuyler1]

I'm pretty sure you don't have to remove the radio to remove the trim but don't quote me on that.

 

[sam1]

no, you can pull the trim off without removing the radio. you just have to squeeze the vents together and pull outward. there are also two wires(more like flexible rods) coming from the heater controls that have to be disconnected, one on each side of the console. I think zapwizard goes over it in his how-to for changing the leds in the heater panel controls.

 

[mazdaspeed777]

oh well forget about removing the radio then. I just want to paint the radio trim. So Sam do the vents come out with the radio trim or can you remove the vents then remove the trim??

 

[sam1]

hahaha, see the radio didn't want to come out for a reason. =) but iirc the vents come out with the trim as a whole unit. I'm pretty sure the vents can be removed after the trim piece is out, but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[Brian MP5T]

Point the two vents down.

Place your fingers in the grooves that were formed below the vents and with two fingers pull towards (Fairly hard)

 

[sam1]

so did you ever get that piece painted?

 

[mazdaspeed777]

Yah, I am working on painting it. I did alot of it last weekend but had some problems with painting it. I am painting the center portion yellow and the side parts a metallic silver. I will post some picks of it when I get it finished and installed. I will be working on my car again this saturday sam if you wanted to come over? I got some night shade paint and will be blacking out my two side marker lights, probably installing my rear strut bar, and maybe working on removing more of that vinyl covering on my windows. So maybe we can figure out a mod for your car, I have lots of paint right now. May be we could do some painting on your car.

 

[sam1]

cool. i have friday off too, hehe. thanks all you veterans out there =)

I'll give you a call, probably sat morning.

 

[mazdaspeed777]

Here are the pictures of the painted radio trim like I promised, Enjoy!

 

[sam1]

wow, that actually looks really good. when you said you were doing silver sides, i kinda thought eehhh, but it actually goes pretty nicely together. well done. so did you get your side markers done too?

 

[mazdaspeed777]

wow, that actually looks really good. when you said you were doing silver sides, i kinda thought eehhh, but it actually goes pretty nicely together. well done. so did you get your side markers done too?

Yah I thought about doing the sides a metalic black but I thought I would go with the metalic silver to match some of the other silver trim in my car. It looks way better in person. I put about five coats of clear coat. Yah I did my side markers to, those were pretty easy. Then I finished my rear strut bar yesterday on my lunch hour. Here is some pics of those mods.

 

[sam1]

so is that the mx6 rear strut bar? did it make a difference at all? i saw this how-to and i love the look, too bad it wont work for the sedan (not that we need a rear strut bar, its kinda built in =P) but the side markers look good, too. now we just have to get the rest of that glue off your doors =)

 

[mazdaspeed777]

lol yah you can see some of the glue in those pictures I posted. Could you bring over your buffer some time?? and I will get some of that wax cleaner stuff, unless you have some to spare. Yah that is an MX-6 bar and it fit perfectly. Yes, it made a huge difference. It makes your car way more stable and cuts your body role in half, best return I have got on a mod that only cost me $20 and a couple hours worth of labor. They do have one for your sedan that should work for only $23 shipped. Here is the link if you want to check it out. I highly suggest you get a rear strut bar, I think it would help a lot even on a sedan.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/89-9...ryZ33591QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem