Radio Pod Removal
02-23-2020, 10:41 PM
#1
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Radio Pod Removal
I spent a little while searching on how to pull out the radio pod (the housing surrounding the stereo and HVAC controls).
This is what I found:
This seems like a good start, but is this oversimplified? I feel like I’d have to pull the console out to give enough clearance for the pod to come out. Hopefully I won’t have to do that.
Does anyone have any additional pointers? Pictures would be awesome too.
TIA!
This is what I found:
As far as removing the entire pod, I think there are two large screws at the top (13 mm socket), and a nut and bolt waaaaay in the back on the floor. The center console has to be removed to make way for the pod to come out.
I can't remember if you have to remove the upper dash to get to those top bolts. If so then you'll have to remove the entire upper dash cover pieces. And you'll need to remove the lower dash on the passenger side to get access to more screws.
Meanwhile, you don't dare pull and tug on that pod or the plastic top frame will break. It will come out with a pinky finger when it's ready to come out.
I can't remember if you have to remove the upper dash to get to those top bolts. If so then you'll have to remove the entire upper dash cover pieces. And you'll need to remove the lower dash on the passenger side to get access to more screws.
Meanwhile, you don't dare pull and tug on that pod or the plastic top frame will break. It will come out with a pinky finger when it's ready to come out.
Does anyone have any additional pointers? Pictures would be awesome too.
TIA!
02-23-2020, 10:45 PM
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02-23-2020, 11:03 PM
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Re: Radio Pod Removal
Oh hell no, I’m not taking my damned dash apart again! I don’t have the patience! Besides, every time I do much as remove the pad, I say a silent prayer of thanks when it doesn’t break. I don’t want to mess with 30 year old plastic anymore than I have to.
All that’s wrong is that 3 out of 4 of the mounting tabs for the radio are disintegrated. I’m just going to cut a couple of pieces of plywood to wedge in between the HVAC controls and the floor and mount the radio to that. It’ll be much easier and last much longer that way anyway.
thanks for saving me the money for a new pod from Hawks and the aggravation of putting it in!
All that’s wrong is that 3 out of 4 of the mounting tabs for the radio are disintegrated. I’m just going to cut a couple of pieces of plywood to wedge in between the HVAC controls and the floor and mount the radio to that. It’ll be much easier and last much longer that way anyway.
thanks for saving me the money for a new pod from Hawks and the aggravation of putting it in!
02-23-2020, 11:27 PM
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Re: Radio Pod Removal
4 out of 4 broken in my car. It's really no big deal. 
02-24-2020, 04:30 AM
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02-24-2020, 06:12 AM
#6
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Re: Radio Pod Removal
What did you need to remove? And my tabs weren’t just broken; one was missing when I got the car and two were so brittle that they disintegrated! 😂🤣
02-24-2020, 12:59 PM
#7
Re: Radio Pod Removal
The gauge trim on early cars has to come off to get at the bolts. That means the panel below the headlight switch, then the screws across the bottom of the dash pad and under the gauge trim, then you should see the two bolts. It's even easier on 90-92 cars.
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03-01-2020, 10:54 AM
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Re: Radio Pod Removal
I started taking mine apart to do a few projects at once, including repairing the broken pod. Maybe a few of the pictures will help.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/memb...ml#post5901947
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/memb...ml#post5901947
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