HELP! Head unit.. STUCK!!!

[stuboo237]

Hi All

I've recently purchased an after market head unit. Unfortunately... It's stuck. I've tried 4 different types on removal keys. It seems that the clips holding it in have snapped/ bent out of place. I've taken off the glovebox in an attempt to remove it from behind but it won't budge.

I've looked at other forum threads where people have ended up forcibly removing and damaging the unit. I want to keep it and the car intact but I fear that I may have no choice but to head to a audio specialist to get them to pry it out. If anyone has any suggestions they would be gratefully received!

I'm at a point where I just want it out! The satnav, bluetooth and cd player work great but I want to get it out to change the radio cable as the radio doesn't currently work! (the connection supplied with the unit was incorrect).

Here's a pic, suggestions welcome!

 

[SootySport]

These are the ones you should be using--
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/att...85967-removing-climate-control-panel-f3_1.jpg
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/att...85967-removing-climate-control-panel-f3_1.jpg

If they don't work, glovebox and drivers undertray out, hands round the back of the Head unit and push hard, you'll only bend the springs which can be straightened out. You'll need two people to do it unless you have extraordinary long arms.
You need a aerial amp with Fakra plug one end and standard phono plug the other.

 

[leshkin]

I have one of these units and mentioned the same in the Android thread in ICE section. The bottom catches are not gteat on these, so its a problem with the stereo not tools.

To get the unit out you need to pull out the small trim piece that surrounds the hazard, esp buttons and coin tray. You can do this with a plastic trim removal tool found on ebay or amazon. A flat blade screwdriver will work, but you may end up scratching the trim. Once out, you can then pull the bottom two catches from underneath and release the headunit.

 

[downtothebone]

See Leshkins reply - you can access the springs underneath once the console button unit is removed. Had the same problem with my rnse.

 

[stuboo237]

Thanks so much guys for all of the feedback. I will have a go at carefully removing the console button unit facia with a flat head to access the clips from underneath. Failing that I will look at forcing it out from behind. I'll let you know how I get on!

Thanks very much!

 

[Bazzle]

On 2 units Ive had in my S3 Ive left the spring clips off.
I added the top rear sliders from my orig radio to one unit as it didn't come with any.
I then just put some sticky backed foam strip on the edges, and that is holding the current unit in nice and tight

 

[stuboo237]

I did it! By removing the centre button facia with a flathead screwdriver i was able to see how the keys were making contact with the latches. After A LOT of fiddling i managed to get it a little loose. I then stuck two long screwdrivers down the side and forced it out. The clips are wrecked but at least it's out. I've managed to unscrew the clips from the radio and I'm going to stick some sticky back foam in the right places to secure it in place. Thanks for the help! Much appreciated!

 

[lincoln_dj]

i had the same issues too, took the clips off the stereo as they were all bent up!

 

[Headwesty]

I just had an identical fight with an identical head unit. Nearly sliced my fingers off messing with cheap extraction keys.

I eventually won the fight by taking off the panel around the switches (came off easily when prised from below) and then inserting old plastic cards under the unit after pushing up the clips (I always have old cards in my toolbox for grouting). I've tried to show this in the image. The unit then came out undamaged.

Posting to save someone else's fingers...