Radio Removal

NOTE DISCLAIMER:  I will not accept liability for anyone's removal attempts.  This information is posted for informational purposes only.  Don't try this without proper training.  Any removal attempts are at your own risk.  I will not be financially liable to any damage or expenses you may incur in trying to remove your radio.  

Here's some pictures and comments on the radio removal procedure....

Figure 1 - A pair of fence pliers works good to cut a piece of clothes hanger for bending into shape to be used as a tool to remove the radio.  Shown above is the fence pliers and a piece of clothes hanger that has been shaped into a U-shape and I have added black tape at 1 1/4 inches from the ends to mark about the maximum this needs to be inserted into the holes of the radio to remove it.  You will need two of these U-shaped pieces to remove the radio (only one is shown in the pictures).  A thicker clothes hanger works best.

Figure 2 - More detail of figure one.

Figure 3 - The radio to be repaired.  Mine was built in Feb. 2000 and had a part number on it of YL2F-18C868-CA...I'm guessing it was a part number.  There was also markings on it that read FH-2076ZF XH/UC...whatever this was for.

Figure 4 - A view of the retaining clips that hold the radio in place in the dash...sorry, I'm not a professional photographer and I don't have a good digital camera...as is starting to become obvious in these pictures.

Figure 4B - Another view of the retaining clips from the side of the radio.

Figure 5 - Another view of the retaining clips from the top of the radio.

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 6-8 - Insert the clothes hanger tools (one tool in on each side of the radio) in the holes on the front faceplate.  It works best by angling the hangers toward the center of the radio.  Do not insert more than 1 1/4 inches.  Once inserted, apply a pressure away from the center of the radio (push towards the outsides of the radio) and then begin to pull the radio out of the dash...two hands are required for this and three would be better in some cases).

RADIO REMOVAL TOOL addendum:
I had several people tell me about the radio removal tool that can be purchased at various automotive stores and places like Wal-Mart.  In an effort to educate the readers of this web site, I went out and purchased a set of these tools (see Figure 8a below)...what did I think?

Figure 8a - Store Bought Din Radio Removal Tool Compared to Self-made from Hangers

Well, I purchased the set shown above at Wal-Mart for about $3.97.  They are nicely formed compared to my self-made clothes hanger ones, however, if you put the markers on my hanger ones (1 1/4"  as described above) and you use a thick, study clothes hanger...I like the homemade version better.  So, don't think these radios come out any easier with the store bought removal tool...I thought this, however, once trying the removal tool, it's not easy either way to get these radio to slide out of their mounting...three hands still work best (see comments above).

This page was last updated on 12/01/04 .
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