I installed the receiver in my Mercedes SLK back in February. I now need to remove it for access to some screws so I can take the console apart. The problem is, when I go to use the tools to remove the head unit I can't see the slots along the sides. I assume I have to remove the black plastic frame surrounding the unit to expose the slots. I'd call it a bezel but maybe that's not the correct terminology. I tried moving it but I'm not sure how it's held on and don't want to break it. Is there a secret to getting it off or do I just jimmy it with a small screwdriver until it pops off? The factory manual isn't clear on this.
Those black trim pieces just snap in place with plastic tabs. It shouldn't be hard to remove. A flat tip screwdriver would pry it off if it's giving you stink.
Honestly those things are a pain to get off the first time you have to do it. The only thing i can say that might make you more comfortable is i've never broken one myself. You're stuck at this point, so may well just give it some force and be done with it.
Another tip is to make sure you prey in a directly outward motion right at the tab locations. This will put all of the pressure on the tab location keeping the trim from breaking.
On the Sony, the "handle" end of the removal keys can be used to remove the trim bezel, but I don't know if that is true for Alpine as well or not.
Hope This Helps!!!
2002 Ford Focus Sony CDX-GT410u Sony XT-100HD HD Tuner Stock speakers, no amp, no subs
I have pried on the inside lip o this piece and still can't seem to get it to unsnap. I am afraid to break it as it appears to be part of the radio and I'm sure is not a separately available part. Does anyone have a specific Alpine experience with this? Thanks to you folks who have replied to this thread.
J Ro is correct - they are a pain to remove, but I have pulled mine off six or seven times and it hasn't broken yet ....
Many thanks to all you guys for taking the time to answer my question. I ended up horsing the piece off. I ended up breaking 3 small "hooks" off the tabs. Not as well as Tigerheli but maybe I'm more ham-fisted! Anyway it was an experience. I found the place that carries Alpine parts and found these frames are less than $4 each. The only problem is they charged $11.50 for postage so I ordered 3 of them. At least that way the parts were almost as much as shipping! I figure I'll end up breaking a few more and I'll always have a spare. LOL Unfortunately I have to pull the radio out every time I have to replace an instrument light bulb so I know it's going to be pulled a few times in the future. Thanks again.
Ham-fistedness is rarely a good quality with all the plastic parts in cars nowadays - anyway - glad it worked out okay in the end ...
I realize you had to bite your lip and not say, "this guy is a real loser"! I have so few years left that sometimes I get impatient. My biggest gripe with manufacturers is that they don't tell you how to remove stuff in their owners manuals. I've never owned a car without a workshop manual being on the shelf in my garage. It's all too easy to overestimate your own abilities and get stuck doing the opposite from the correct method. You sure are right about the ham-fistedness. Haste makes waste. Thanks TigerHeli. I really do appreciate your help.
On the contrary, I've had too many times that I've broken panels b/c I didn't have the manual and removed all the retaining screws .... except that one behind the cover plate that just cracked. And half the time the manuals only tell you MOST of the parts you need to remove ....