General Forum - Vauxhall Astra - Removing the radio, or not as the case is!!! - Page 1

With most car stereos as well as the alan keys in each corner, the casing is secured by bits of it poking out and pushing against it's surroundings

My advice (if you don't want to screw up your dash) is to take your new stereo (presuming that's the reason for wanting to remove it!) to any garage that handles stereos and ask them to fit it.

The installation of a new one is pretty simple, it's the removal without cocking up your car that's tricky - since the manufacturers are trying to help us by making it harder for criminals to remove our stereos!

PS - Have you tried slipping a 'credit card' (or similar) into the slot around the front?
Sometimes that can release the protuding bits...don't try too hard though )

Halfords used to sell (probably still do) a simple tool that fits into the slots of some stereos. Don't forget to disconnect battery first just to be on the safe side.

JohnF

The vauxhall stereos are quite easy to get out when you know how they come out.

Where you took the 4 allan screws out you should have 4 holes.

Now you need the removal keys, as said earlier you can get these in halfords for about £1.99, they are U shaped metal rods with a little notch in the tops of the U. They are called Ford or Philips removal keys.

Now armed with your keys insert them into the 4 holes in the front of the stereo very slowly, after about half an inch or just over they will get tight then all of a sudden with a little more pushing they will click into place. when both keys are clicked in, bend them outwards while pulling them towards you, the outward bending pushes the locking pins in on the stereo allowing it to be removed, might take a bit of force to get it moving but it will come out.

One other thing you might need is and aerial adapter, there are 2 different aerial fittings so its a good idea to remove the stereo while still in halfords car park then you can see what fitting is in the car and if neccassary pop back in to buy the appropriate adapter.

The wiring connecters in the vauxhall should plug straight in to your new stereo, providing both car and stereo are less than 5 years old or so. They are called ISO connectors and are pretty standard now, in vauxhalls though the speaker and power plug are fixed together where as on the stereo that will be seperate, they will fit in just need a bit of pursuasion, and if you not sure which connector goes where, look at the locking clips on the side of the plug, one is in th middle and the other is at the bottom so no chance of getting them mixed up.

One thing you may find especialy if you are putting a Sony in is that you loose your preset stations everytime you turn the ignition off, if this is the case then remove your new stereo and swap the red and the yellow wire around, this will sort the problem for you.

Good luck, if you need any more help just post back or if your in cardiff area i don't mind doing it for you. already got the removal keys and probably got an adapter to.

Ger.

No, no, no. You are doing it all wrong.

First you get a half brick and put it through the drivers window. Then with a screwdriver uncarfully wrench the radio out. Run.

It's easy.

All the best,

The 42%er.

If you do it the way the 42%er says, it only takes 15 seconds!!!

This item was edited on Monday, 30th June 2003, 14:10

Sod the car, drive a mini through your local HiFi dealer's shop window and get a whole home cinema setup!

I know a good one to try, if you don't mind dealing with the owner and his baseball bat.

Editor
DVD REVIEWER

This item was edited on Monday, 30th June 2003, 14:34

LOL.

I'll be waiting for you Robert.

All the best,

The 42%er.

It really is easy. Remove the 4 grub screws with an allen key. Insert 4 nails about 2 inches long into the holes and remove the radio.

Great advice David....

If he was still struggling to get his stereo out 12 months after his origional post LOL ...

welcome to the forums btw

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This item was edited on Monday, 5th July 2004, 21:17