Head unit won't budge

[hmoffatt]

Sorry to beat this topic to death a bit further. I'm trying to remove the stock head unit from my (Australian) Mazda Astina in order to install the Auxmod. These are very similar to the US Protege. I have 4 radio removal tools.

I've removed the lower unit (tape/MD) cover to get a grip. The passenger side (left for me) is fine. Pushing the tools in and outwards allows me to move that side a bit. Also I can see the clip by looking into the hole with a torch.

The right side (driver's) is absolutely stuck. I can't feel the clip with the tool, and I can't see it with the torch. So far I haven't had much luck getting a hand in underneath either; there isn't much room in between the wiring and the plastic. I've tried to remove the plastic around the steering column, but the top and bottom halves seem to be bound together somehow. (I removed the screws from the bottom, and the whole assembly is loose but won't seperate.)

Would removing the whole center surround (around the vents, climate controls etc) help gain access to the stubborn side of the radio? I haven't been able to remove all of that yet either; it sticks in the bottom right. I haven't tried very hard though.

Any suggestions are welcome... I'm a bit frustrated at the moment.

thanks

Hamish

 

[Canecreekfreak]

Sorry this is so late- have you removed the radio yet? I took the console out of my Protege 5, and I think the trip piece under the steering wheel. I then got upside down so I could see up behind the dash and saw why my tools weren't engaging the spring clips on the stock stereo. The clips had been pushed out too far, and the tools weren't catching them. You might have to start w/the back of the U tools as far to the center of the car as possilbe while inserting them to get them to engage the clips. If you can push them 1/2 way or more into the stereo, they're not working. I had to push the clips in from behind the dash w/a screw driver while inserting the U tools in order to get them to work. That was not fun. I don't think that removing the hvac controls/trim will help.

 

[hmoffatt]

Sorry this is so late- have you removed the radio yet? I took the console out of my Protege 5, and I think the trip piece under the steering wheel. I then got upside down so I could see up behind the dash and saw why my tools weren't engaging the spring clips on the stock stereo. The clips had been pushed out too far, and the tools weren't catching them. You might have to start w/the back of the U tools as far to the center of the car as possilbe while inserting them to get them to engage the clips. If you can push them 1/2 way or more into the stereo, they're not working. I had to push the clips in from behind the dash w/a screw driver while inserting the U tools in order to get them to work. That was not fun. I don't think that removing the hvac controls/trim will help.

Thanks for your reply! Yep a friend helped me get it out. Got under the dash and pushed the clips in by hand; no tool needed on that side. Indeed they were pushed out too far as you suggested.

I have the Auxmod installed now and it's great.

Cheers

Hamish

 

[GlItCh_MP]

Thanks for your reply! Yep a friend helped me get it out. Got under the dash and pushed the clips in by hand; no tool needed on that side. Indeed they were pushed out too far as you suggested.

I have the Auxmod installed now and it's great.

Cheers

Hamish

I had trouble with my stock radio also, those stock decks are a pain in the *** to get out the first time you do it.

 

[chuyler1]

I just pulled mine out yesterday with a single small flatblade screwdriver. I removed the glove box and pushed the right-side clip in by hand and pulled from the tape-deck hole. Once that side was out, I shoved the screwdriver in the left side center hole at an angle and pushed the clip in (towards the center) and pulled. It popped right out.

 

[GlItCh_MP]

I just pulled mine out yesterday with a single small flatblade screwdriver. I removed the glove box and pushed the right-side clip in by hand and pulled from the tape-deck hole. Once that side was out, I shoved the screwdriver in the left side center hole at an angle and pushed the clip in (towards the center) and pulled. It popped right out.

Yes, same thing with mine, maybe I should've been clearer. But for people that have their first car, are in this situation, and trying to figure out how to remove that particular deck. Without there being any easy to find resources on the internet for this kind of deck it can be a tedious and frustrating task.

At least it was for me. That's why I came here and keep coming back, because I'd be surprised if no one else had this problem and would want to give them the same advice you did before they go ripping out the dash.

At first glance and attempt when my friend was helping me remove it, his first reponse was "wtf".

 

[chuyler1]

Well, most people expect it to slip right out...and it doesn't...and isn't designed to. You really have to stick the removal tools (or screwdriver in my case) in at a hard angle and push with force to the outside.

The first time I pulled the factory unit out of my Grand Marquis I had to take it to an audio shop. They let me use their tools but I couldn't get it out. Then one of the installers came out to try and only with our combined effort did we get it out (me pushing from the back and him wiggling and thrusting with the tools from the front).