Hey all,

I've a lot of questions that I will soon put into one long thread so it's not scattered into several different ones, but in the meantime I wanted to get a head start on the issues with the original Bose head unit removal. I've searched the forums and found some info, but I'm still having trouble getting out of the gate. I have two different sets of head unit removal tools and neither of them have helped me get he unit out of the dash no matter how hard I pull lol. It's especially frustrating when I read about others popping them in and it "clicking" and then just sliding right out.

There was one thread where I read something about the factory wiring actually being run behind one of the factory brackets behind the head unit and it prevents it from sliding out easily. Is this correct? My understanding was that the suggestion was to keep trying to pull and eventually the plug would dislodge from the radio, etc., thus freeing up the unit to come out. Is this likely to be my problem? It's the combo CD player/radio cassette double din setup on my Touring FD.

I've pulled so hard and nothing. The ends of the removal tools come free and come out. I've tried this dozens of times and nothing. Soooo, is it likely I'll have to remove the dash pieces that surround the radio, etc. in order to access the wiring in the back? Is it even possible to access them by doing so?

It's pretty frustrating as you might imagine and I'm hoping to get some input here. Thank you in advance for any help/suggestions!

 

Pull harder

When it feels like you're about to pull the dash out, pull harder. It will come out. Stick your hand behind it and pull from the back if you have to.

 

I hear ya... and I do seem to recall reading that. I have tried... REALLY! Lol

Problem is the tools come loose before the radio gives. One set came with the alpine unit and the other set came from Crutchfield (not sure if they’re universal or were specific to the car). Is it possible I need a third set that won’t break loose (the Ford/Mazda specific tools)?

Last question: I’m not sure what you mean by get my hand behind it. Behind what? The head unit(s)? How is that even possible? Do I need to remove the dash piece?

Anyway, thank you for the suggestions. I do appreciate it. Just need further clarification, if possible.

 

does the removal tool need to be pushed in and held in while pulling out on the head unit? is so, u may need the help of another person.

 

You dont need any tools to remove it. You just need to pull on it. If you remove the lower portion of whatever is under it. You reach behind it and pull on it

 

The removal tools I was provided are as follows...

* 1 set actually has 4 pieces (to accommodate the CD player on each side as well as the cassette/radio below it on both sides). I've read on here that the CD player, if removed first, makes it easier to remove the radio portion afterward. I've tried that as well as attempting to pull all 4 pieces at once.

* the second set which came with the Alpine unit is just a pair of tools (2 pieces, total).

I believe the tools are inserted and inch or so (you can feel them "click" into place). Then you push outward on them, feeling some resistance against what I assume are the clips inside that hold the unit in place. My understanding is this should release the unit, but it would seem as noted by others that there is either that rubber piece in the back that is still "stuck" or the wiring loom is behind the internal metal framework and it catches on that.

My problem isn't really that it can't be managed by one person. It's more that the "barbs" on the end of either of the tools do not sufficiently lock into place and once a certain threshold of force pulling them is met, they slip and pull out without the radio. That's why I was wondering if maybe the tools from Ford/Mazda would be better... maybe have better designed or even larger nubs on the end that wouldn't slip so I could REALLY yank on it. Any thoughts? Should I try a third set of tools or just go to a radio shop and see if I can just slip them $20 to pop it out for me without further involvement?




The "whatever" that is underneath it is actually the second of the two din units (this, as noted is the Touring model with the two-din factory unit). Apologies if I wasn't clear... there is no underneath... no place to put your hand around, beneath, etc. That's why I asked if I needed to remove the dash moulding in order to gain access with my hand.