How-to-guides - Car stereo and radio removal tools

Removal tools

Many vehicle manufactures such as Ford, Mercedes, Volkswagen and others use special tools to remove the radio.

While they are sometimes easier to remove than the standard type that usually requires the removal of the dash component, the radio removal tool system must be used properly.

Improper use of the removal tool can cause  difficulty with the removal process or even damage to the unit.

U-pin radio removal tools

Ford, Volkswagen, Mazda, BMW, and others use the u -pin for removal of the radio.

The pins are inserted into the face of radio.

How to use the U-pin radio removal tool

The face will have four small holes for this purpose.

The tool should be inserted straight in until you hear or feel a notching sensation.

At that point you will apply outward force to the removal tool.

This will move the locking pins inside the unit to move inward towards the radio, allowing the radio to slide out of the dash.

Continue the force outward while pulling the removal tool, assisting the radio to "dislodge"  from the dash and........wah-la!

At least theoretically!

In some cases, it may take a little "jiggling around" to get the radio to release.

They got flat ones too!

Volkswagen, Mercedes, Becker, Porsche, and others will use something similar to the U-clip removal tools.

The only difference is the radio removal tool is flat and only requires inserting them into the radio.

They do not require that you apply outward force to unlatch the radio locking mechanism.

Simply insert the proper tool and wait for the "notch" feel.

Once you feel the notch, apply force away from the radio towards the rear of the vehicle to remove the radio from the dash.

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BMW Radio removal tools

BMW vehicles use a radio locking system that uses an Allen screw located on the radio face.

You can access the radio removal screws by opening the two tabs located on either side of the radio face.

Place the Allen screwdriver into the opening and turn either clockwise or counter clockwise depending on whether or not you are removing or installing the stereo

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Radio removal tools-Part 2