Removing the Stereo Head Unit

[Chrisyd]

This might be useful:

[youtube][/youtube]

Note: the "hidden" security bolt/screw is on the right for right hand drive cars.

[Doddy]

RIIIIIGHTTT!

...and refitting is the proverbial reversal of the above.

[Harty747]

Can I add my tip (hopefully to save others from the woes I had)

If you pull the stereo out by the fascia you can easily break the mounts for the screws that hold in onto the head unit, usually resulting in a bad connection and possibly no screen display and no heater, fan and a/c control when re-fitting.
I prefer to push the stereo from the back after removing the final fixing screw (roughly 3:30 in the vid). If you have girly hands like mine you can get behind the stereo unit from the steering column access point and push it out putting much less stress on the fascia. Just make sure you have your other hand ready to stop it jumping out onto your gear lever which now has no handle on top of it and is ready to scratch a nice big gash into the shiny finish of the fascia.

Here's the thread of how it went so wrong for me... http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/vi ... 19&t=39799

Hopefully I have fed back a little into the community I take so much from

[silver8]

Mine would not pull out far enough to disconnect the stereo cables, but far enough to see the aux port underneath the stereo to connect the Auxmod.

[djtonymorgan]

Once you're at that point, just take the 2 screws out and remove the vents above the stereo, then you have loads of room to disconnect and more importantly when you're reconnecting.

[pigman149]

Mine would not pull out far enough to disconnect the stereo cables, but far enough to see the aux port underneath the stereo to connect the Auxmod.

same as. but was easy to do upside-down

[danh]

Is the side security screw on the passenger side, accessible form the glovebox?

all the videos and manuals are for left hand drive RX8 which is confusing.

[fakedollar]

It's on the drivers side mate, get your head under there looking toward the side of the radio with a torch if you cant feel for it..

[Reloy]

When you lose that bolt down behind the carpet (easily done), before digging around trying to grab it, see if you can feel it through the carpet, then you can hold it in place as you retrieve it. May have been easier for me as my 10mm socket was down there as well

[duckula67]

blutack in your socket.
Also I opted not to bother refitting the bolt. Anyone who wants to steal the stereo will ruin your dash trying to rip it out.
I'd rather just have to buy a new stereo tbh

[kopite72]

Blue tack works as does Vaseline.....cue the jokes!!!

[thales]

If I can resurrect this thread, I'm having a problem with my hazard light switch so I need to remove it to see if I can fix it but removing the radio is being a nightmare. In videos I found online, there is supposed to be a screw on the side holding the radio but I can't seem to find it in the same place.
I recorded this short clip of the drivers side and at the end its the only screw that seems similar to the ones I found in other videos.

Does anyone know if that is the one I need to remove?

The bloody thing is behind a connector so its not easy to get to it, but if it is the one I will see what I can do.



Is the side screw holding the radio the one at the end of this short video?

[nightfire10]

The bolt on the right if still fitted is next to your left knee

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

[WildMan10]

It’s a PITA to lie on your back in the driver’s footwell, but if you do so then the screw is obvious, provided it’s still fitted.

That said, the bolt may have already been removed and not replaced. If you’ve not done so already, first get to and remove the bolts at the bottom of the fascia and try to prise out the HU.

[qwakers]

I usually use a tyre lever or any other pry bar to pry the head unit from behind to push it out, do not pull it from the front that's how you break the fascia mounts.

[warpc0il]

I understand you're removing it to resolve a problem with the Hazard Warning switch.

How sure are you that it's the switch that's at fault, as that would be a very rare issue.

[HarSc]

I usually use a tyre lever or any other pry bar to pry the head unit from behind to push it out, do not pull it from the front that's how you break the fascia mounts.

As soon as I read tyre lever/pry bar, I was having visions of the dash being absolutely decimated and scratched to high heaven glad you said behind it ha!

[Ninja_Freak]

HI folks,

Having just gone through this process myself, I would add a couple of pointers.

1. Cover the gear stick with a cloth or something protective
2. As above, I highly recommend that you remove the top vents. It gives you lots more room and it's only two screws and a little prying / tugging
3. The vid won't show but once you have the head on the way out, I found it advantageous to unplug behind the vent controls then I could tilt the unit further out
4. Looking at the back, I found it necessary to remove the big cluster of wires on the right. Again this gives you a few extra cm to get your hands where they need to be.
5. The din you're looking for will be on the left side (on the back of course)

I tried but I couldn't get the antenna off the back of the head unit. I managed to get things plugged in for testing but it would have been much easier to be able to take it out. I'd appreciate any tips on that one as it will make my job easier in the morning!