Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio destroy head unit to remove it??!!

Well, as you maybe saw my post earlier, I was having a problem getting my head unit out with the din tools. I got tired of messing with it and ran up to a local stereo shop. The first thing the guy said was, "you didn't push real hard did you, cause if you bend the tabs the only way to get the head unit out is to destroy it." I said no, which I hadn't.
So he had a guy come out to try and get it out for me. What is the first thing the guy does, but push the tools in as hard as he can!! Then the guy I was first talking to wanders out and says, if it didn't come right out the tabs are bent.
Besides the fact that I was pissed that the guy came out and did exactly what the other guy had told me not to do, I am now being told that they have to destroy the stock head unit to get it out. Do you guys know if there is any other way to get it out without destroying it?? I already have another head unit, but I really don't want to destroy the stock one.



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2000 - SVT - Toreador

That's total BS about needing to destroy it. I've done to installs on contiques (my old 98 Mystique and my '00 SVT). Both times the head unit was jammed in, and the din tools didn't do squat. Just remove the center console, and then take the screws out of the trim piece that the head unit and HVAC crap is in. Then snap the upper part of the trim out of the dash (pull on the upper part strait out and some trim retainers will allow it to pop out). Manuver the radio over the lower dash brace and unhook the harness. Once you have it out, push the din tools in the radio, and use a flat blade to force the tabs behind the faceplate inwards so it'll actually release. It's a pain, the tolerences just aren't good enough for the din tools to work right in these cars.

Steve's right, screw them they are just trying to make a job out of nothing.

Remove the center console.

I had the same problem with my new 2000 Contour last month. I pushed the removal tools in as far as I could and pulled until I thought the dash and I would exit the back window. Then the tools released and I almost went out the back. After a frustrating hour of this nonsense, a call to Crutchfield revealed the secret (at least it worked for me). Brute force is NOT the answer. Try pushing the tools in only until they click, not all the way in. Then, pulling outward (left and right) on the tools so they lock, wiggle the unit GENTLY back and forth, up and down. In my case, after about 30 seconds the right side clicked free; then a little more wiggling got the left to release; then the unit slid right out. It was the hardest part of the installation process.

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm gonna try your advice today. I'll let you know how it goes.

Go for the softer approach, gently wiggle back and fourth as stated by the others, one side will come loose and with a little more wiggling the other should come free.. Its a pain in the arse but you shouldn't have to go through taking anything apart.. also if the din tools are bent, try cutting a wire coat hanger and bend over into the shape of the din tool, and sharpen the tips to a point on a grinder.. works real good.. (what I use, the din tools are too thin and bend too easy)

Hey guys. Once again, thanks for all the input. I ended up having to take the dash trim out per Steve's instructions (great instructions btw.) It took about an hour and my other cd player was in and running. While at it, I ran the wires for my amps. The stereo sounds great!!

Kenwood CD player
Infinity Kappa 6x9's in front, 5x7's in rear
Orion 12" sub

Hopefully add a changer before too long


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2000 - SVT - Toreador

put the tool in and bend outway like this
<---: hu :--->

then pull out simply pulling out doesnt get it out and the tools come flyout and start to strip because the clips are still in the same place minor detail im sure everyone forgot i take it out everytime i go to get my car serviced cuz they said my HU is the cause of my hose problem

let me know if it works -=)

-afr0

pioneer headunit, 4 6x8 pioneer compression horns, premier 4 channel, PLD1 line driver, 2 12" infinity perfects in custom boxes, 1 farad cap, a MTX crossover (temp. until i can get the money for an audiocontrol) infinity beta digital 300 runnin 9 volts into it, bridged mono wired in parallel. ;]

"dont front cuz i know you were an ice fan"-vanilla ice

I just had the same problem on Friday. My stock cd player decided it wanted to keep one of my cd's, so I got very angry because it has done that many times. It finally did it to the point that it took 20 minutes to give up the disc, but I was already too angry. I used a small screwdriver and broke the faceplate off and finally got the piece of crap out. I have radio tools, but I wasn't expecting a problem and left them in my toolbox at work.I then ordered a Pioneer DEH-3100 from Crutchfield to go with my TS-A6855's. I've had it with Ford radios. They suck!

[This message has been edited by 4cylmys (edited September 30, 2000).]