Hey guys, I need to remove the front console (where the head unit is) to get at the original head unit, where are the screws to remove it (I have looked at cyberpaddys post and figure it will be easiest to get at the brackets instead of faffing around with the cage.

If I remember there is a post about it somewhere with green arrows over it. Have a look in guides. Otherwise do a search.

Still nothing, I'll get some pics for you. One of my cars has it in pieces.

Hmm I have had a look around but I can only find guides for removing the door cards, LED dash dials, front bumpers and stuff like that, the only picture of what I want to do is from the original post I got the idea from lol arg where is Mazz when you need her lol

I'll try and guide you through it in writing.

I've taken off my centre console more time than I've filled up with petrol :P


1) Take out back ashtray and undo screw.

2) Move seats right back. Where handbrake cover meets gearbox cover there is a screw eitherside on the side of the handbrake cover.

3) Take out front ashtray (push button to open and pull) and undo 2 screws behind it.

4) On side of centre console, on each side there is a screw and clip. These are roughly in line with bottom of glovebox. Take out clip and screw on either side.

5) Take off handbrake cover and move gearbox cover towards handbrake (won't come off unless you take off the gearknob).

6) Under the middle vents are 2 screws that have to be undone.

7) Pull off centre console, but be careful as the cigarette lighter and bulb will be plugged in.

If it's all off, think yourself lucky that I wrote this guide in my office from memory!

Oh my goodness thats a lot of stuff just to take off the centre console I only need to get to those 4 screws holding the original head unit in!!

They're behind the console I'm afraid, and you can only get to them if you do all that.

Trust me, I know how frustating it is. Especially when you've put it all back together and on your chair is the grounding lead!!

Ah it only takes a few minutes...

you'll fly through it

Agreed, by the 3rd time I could disassemble and re-assemble the whole thing in under 5 minutes

Oh and to make it easier to get to the Ariel cable you will probably have to remove the panel in the passenger foot-well that's held on my those annoying plastic (break me to remove!) clips so I'd get a few spares if you don't want it rattling about like mine does (DOH!)

They only break if you don't know how to remove them properly. I've only ever had 3 clips break on me, and I've taken every panel off the car off at least twice, stripped a BG of all it's panels and took off most panels in my old BG.

They're easy with a bit of patience. Pull out middle and persuade out. If it doesn't come out, a pair of pliers held flat against it, and pivot out.

Grrrrr......!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.club323f.com/ba/guides/dashr ... emoval.php is that what you're looking for?

Anyway - the head units aren't held in by screws....... their 'cage' normally clip in, and you generally need keys to remove the head unit from their cage.

what is all the fuss about these screws?
iv never had a problem with fitting a headunit in to the space.
might have had problems with the head unit it self, but never fitting it.

as rich says it should just slide in (gutter mind) an the cage should hold it in place. ( gutter mind again!)

is that guide the same for the BG?

[quote="mazz"]what is all the fuss about these screws?
iv never had a problem with fitting a headunit in to the space.
might have had problems with the head unit it self, but never fitting it.

as rich says it should just slide in (gutter mind) an the cage should hold it in place. ( gutter mind again!)[/quote]

Wrong, the original stereo is held in with a bracket on either side.
THese brackets are much better than the cages you get with a new head unit.
Use them with the new head unit and throw that nasty cage away!!!

Zactly lol which is the whole reason why I need to know how to get the front console apart to be able to install the head unit, oh and 1 other thing, there is a grounding wire, what have people attached that to? shall I just attach it to anything metal inside that area?

Theres a metal bracket behind the head unit, you can attach it to that.
The original stereo uses the antenna connection or the brackets as an earth.

Doesn't the original stereo use the earth with a screw at the back and a rubber grommet to hold the back in place?

I know what I mean but can't explain very well.

And yes, I always get rid of those cages. They put too much weight on the surround and it's easier for someone to nick your radio!! (and yes even you have an alarm, it'll be a smash and grab)

also, as i found out some newer head units use the arieal as the earthing point.
like the kenwood one i have now.
i didnt bother with them screws as it was like effort! the cage dies the job just fine

Watch out for the length of the screws you use for the brackets, just 1 mm too long and your eject probably won't work (found out the hard way and it cost me a CD and left some scratches on the head unit!)

Hmm thanks Cyberpaddy, ive found that there is a nice diagram in the original clarion manual in where all the screws are etc lol so that will be handy

[quote="mazz"]also, as i found out some newer head units use the arieal as the earthing point.
like the kenwood one i have now.
i didnt bother with them screws as it was like effort! the cage dies the job just fine [/quote]

If you looked at my thread about fitting my head-unit you'll see the main reason I used the brackets is because the bleeding cage was too small for the opening and I HAD to use the brackets!

oh yeah, lol