Desperation: NB Miata Stereo Removal

"RW53104" (rw53104) 11/07/2014 at 17:08 • Filed to: miata, nb, stereo, head unit, diy

0

5

I've posted this to the MX-5 Miata.net forum, but I figured since Jalopnik/Oppo is so nutty over Miatas you guys might be able to help. From my thread:

I've scoured the internet and the forums and I just can't figure this one out.

I'm all set to pop in my new aftermarket head unit in my 2003 NB base (non-bose), but the factory head unit simply won't budge a millimeter. I have the 4 wire loop Ford removal tools, and I've spent a couple hours now trying to get them to slip into place and free the damn thing.

I've watched the videos, followed all the instructions, and I'm just stumped. Even if the videos made it look easier than it is, there's no way it should be this difficult.

The tools seem to slot into place on the right side, but don't on the left. They seem to get jammed up and even stuck when I insert them on the left side. Even with the right ones seemingly slotted correctly into place, I can't even get movement from just that side of the radio.

I dropped the glovebox to see if it gave easier access, but it didn't seem to.

Is there any other way to remove the head unit? Obviously I don't want to make life too hard on myself, but I just don't have any hope of the prescribed method working at this point.

I'm wondering if perhaps the radio was replaced or re-installed prior to my ownership and the installer somehow messed up the brackets or clips. I just don't see any other reasonable explanation as to why the tools are so hard to slip in, to find their slot, and the free the radio.

Help!

Louros > RW53104 11/07/2014 at 17:08

0

RW53104 > Louros 11/07/2014 at 17:20

0

Oh trust me, it's crossed my mind more than twice. I'm all for destroying the stock unit, I'm just worried that I still won't be able to get the frame out and subsequently screwed when I try to insert the new unit.

lonestranger > RW53104 11/07/2014 at 17:24

0

I used to be a stereo installer.

Keep in mind that you don't merely insert the tools, you need to push them sideways, apart from each other, in order to release the clips.

Often, the tools will get inserted too far past the clips, and you can't lever them sideways. Try pulling each one out slightly, one at a time, attempting to lever it in order to find the "sweet spot". Once you find it, the second one should be much easier to find since you have a reference of where to go.

If you can lever both clips, and the unit still won't budge, then either the clips are stuck or something else is amiss (unlikely).

Hope that helps, I can try to explain further if needed.

RW53104 > lonestranger 11/07/2014 at 17:38

0

That does help. I'll try that again. What's worrying is that the one side seemed to click into place (that sweet metallic notching sound those frames make) top and bottom, but I couldn't even wiggle that side out.

Tohru > RW53104 11/07/2014 at 20:08

0