Will soon be swapping out the head unit on my bose equipped fd, but trying to get the little side clips off and am not sure of the correct way to pry them off...from the side, top or bottom? they really look like they are going to snap if I pry them from the side.

any advice?

Tom

 

What clips are you talking about? The little plates on the side of the unit that cover the access holes for the head unit remover tool?





If so, I used just a small flat head out of an eye glass repair kit. I honestly can't remember if I jacked it up or not, but it was a trashed head unit and I probably took it out with a vengence. But I do remember them being snapped down pretty tight.

 

Those or coat hangars if you're good! Thats how I got my Millenia head unit out. Although, I guess its easier to drive down to Advance Auto and get them.

 

um, those "keys" are only for ford. useless for anything else. if you want keys that work for damn near anything, go to crutchfield and buy the 3 sided keys. if that is what you are talking about.
anywho, take the stereo surround off. you will never be able to get any stock unit out, besides fords, without having to take out the whole stereo surround. take apart the whole surround, there should be metal brackets and a few skrew bolts. i have never worked on a bose FD, but i do work on tsunami VW's!

peace

 

You are 110% wrong. The ford style key is the one that fits the head unit of the 3rd gen.

And the only thing you need to remove is the front 2 covers that hide the 2 holes on each side where the removal tool (the ford one ) slides in to release the pins so the unit can slide out. Sometimes the pins get caught, like mine did, and requires a little "encouragement" for it to come out.

But seeing how that is "never" going to happen without removing a bunch of stuff, I guess I must have dreamt it all.

 

I know how to get the unit out with the u shaped tools, but I need to get those little 1/2" wide by 2-3/8" tall plastic covers out first so I have access to the holes, and since I've never removed them before can't tell if they pull straight out or if I should pry from the top, bottom or adjacent to the head unit or on the side of the piece furthest away from it.

thanks
t

 

You can use the tips of the U clip tools to get behind one of the corners. Slide the tip along the side of the cover and it should wedge itself out.

FOR FUTURE SEARCHES: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE THE SURROUND OFF ON THE 3RD GEN TO PULL THE RADIO. SAVE YOURSELF THE HEADACHE!!! Also, use the Ford keys because Mazda and Ford have been in bed together long enough that A LOT of their components can be shared. Among them, stock audio equipment.

 

ok. i stand corrected. but as stated, i have never worked on the bose 3rd gen, but i have a tsunami vw. and all you need is either the keys, or cut up gift cards (yup, it works)

peace