Removing a stereo

sunny505

Hi guys,

I'm scrapping my car which has a really good stereo in it that cost me about €150 from Argos. Had a guy come out and fit it. Just wondering does anyone know how I can remove it? Don't want to scrap it. Scrapping tomorrow so it's kinda urgent. Thanks;)

colm_mcm

you would have gotten removal tools with the stereo.

What make is it? and what kind of car is it coming out of?

crótach

halfords sell a ton of stereo removal tools cheaply, if you've misplaced yours it's worth a trip to see if they have a compatibile one.

Run_to_da_hills

Ask any kid in a trackie and hoodie, they will have it out for ya in 30 secs

sunny505

It's a Nissan Micra and the stereo is a Sony. I'm pretty sure I got nothing with it - remember the guy taking the old tape deck radio thingy (asked me first). Don't remember being given anything. Might try Halfords alright. My partner wants to put it in his car.

colm_mcm

you shouldn't need removal tools for a Mirca.

If the rectangular plastic surround on the radio clips off, then remove that (if it's sticking outside of the centre console, if it's inside, then ignore it)
remove the ashtray and unscrew the 2 screws on the top of the hole, then unscrew the 2 screws that are just over the radio and just under the heater. the centre console should just pop out and you will be able to unscrew the brackets that hold the stereo in.

langdang

Hiya Sunny,
If you post any make/model info of the stereo we can give better advice but...

If you are really stuck you can bodge a job on two common types
1) If the face plate is not removeable and you can see 2 round holes on either side of the face (4 holes total) - stick something in each hole(wahey!) til you hear a click. Straightened bits of coat hanger might work, or some small screwdrivers.


2) If the faceplate is removeable, take it off. If you can see a slim slit either side of the radio try sliding a butter knife in there until you hear a click on both sides. Straight back along the radio, about 3-4 inches should do it.
Pull the stereo gently once you hear a click, try again with the tools if only one side moves for ya. You may need assistance to pull the stereo and the "tools" at the same time if they are getting stuck as you pull out the stereo. Really you only want the knife to be 1cm wide across the flat of the blade, and be gentle with the things cos you don't want to get them stuck there...

Disclaimer - using the proper tools is better. This methods have worked for me, but if you're not sure, don't do it, this is just advice from t'internet, I take no responsibility for damage done to your radio or your cutlery...


OK, just saw your other post. My sony uses method 2 up there.

Edit - just saw colm's post. if you do it my way, as well as removing the face plate you may need to remove a rectangular plastic surround as mentioned in his post, before you can see the slits where you can slide in a knife or suitable slim flat bit of metal.

cormie

get a metal coat hanger and a pliers, snip the coat hanger in two and bend the two pieces into two U shapes with the sides of the U being about 8cm high and the bottom being about 3, put the ends into either side of the stereo and wiggle around while pulling on the stereo and it should come out

colm_mcm

stereo may be screwed in to the retaining brackets from the side . it may not slide out.

sunny505

Okay, thanks. Will get trying. It is the one with the face that pops off alright. Let you know how I get on. God maybe I should wait for himself to get home!! O am I being a big girl about it?? Would be very proud of myself if I had it done when he got home. Be very grateful to all of ye too but would have to tell himself that I did it all myself !!

colm_mcm

don't forget to keep the leads that run from the back of the stereo too.

langdang

colm_mcm wrote: »

don't forget to keep the leads that run from the back of the stereo too.

+1
There will be 2/3 sets of leads going into the back. One roundy black one, this is the aerial. Your Car wiring may plug directly into the stereo or there may be an adapter between the car aerial wiring and the radio. If there is an adapter, hang onto it in case you need it.

There will be 1 or 2 connectors with lots of multi-coloured wires. These will plug/clip into another set of multicoloured wires that are part of the car's wiring. Unclip anything you can and hang onto it.

Be careful when rooting around in the steel cage the radio slides into, they can have sharp edges that can scratch you.....

limericklad87

Sure if your scrapping the car that should just make it all the easier to remove cos you won't be too concerned about damaging the dash/brackets

sunny505

Thanks everyone. We got it out with the two butter knives. No wires or anything connected. It just popped out as a few people mentioned. Little car is now in car heaven. Thanks for your help and speedy responses.