Radio Stereo Removal Keys: DIY Make your own
 

Disclaimer: I'm too cheap to buy the real ones from MB or even the knock-offs on eBay.

Found this idea on an Audi forum site after an internet search and tried it myself this evening with a few improvements. They work awesome. Took me all of 10 minutes or less to make. Just had to share here... Maybe this can find its way to the DIY listings.

1. Take the steel hanger from a Pendaflex or similar hanging file folder - typically an easily available sacrificial item. The steel hanger needs to be the smooth kind - some have a stamped form, making the cross-section not perfectly flat. The ones I used are about 5/16" wide - just the right width. Cut the ends off to make 5" long strips. I used a bandsaw with a metal cutting blade, but a hack saw would work just fine. This steel seems to be somewhat hardened and a bit brittle, but still very cuttable.

2. On a bench grinder, I smoothed out a reasonable radius on the ends as shown in the attached photo. This leaves a few burrs on the end, but we will take care of that in a couple steps.

3. Cut a notch with a hack saw at the end of the radius return as shown -the length of the notch about 1/4 to 1/3 the total width of the steel hanger. The width of the notch needs to be the thickness of a standard hack saw blade, or slightly wider if you can manage.

4. I wire-wheeled the entire ends and radii to take off all the burrs and really smooth the ends up so they won't mar or catch on the stereo face or slot.

5. Insert the two blades with the curved sides facing inward to the factory stereo removal slots on the lower left and right hand corners of the stereo face. Push them in until you hear an audible click from each one. Then push the cassette door in with your fingers to grab the face of the stereo to carefully pull/slide it out. Be careful of the wood trim around the stereo hole in the dash.

6. Once the stereo is out, you can push in the spring clips on the sides of the stereo to remove the tools back out the face of the stereo.

Pretty easy stuff. I am very happy with how well they work on my '95 C280 w/ cassette and CD changer controls. I would imagine the applicability would cross many types and years worth of MB stereos. Hope someone finds this of use.

You know... I think it is GREAT when people like you take the extra time to post stuff like this!!! THANKS!!!:idea2:

Radio removal tools
 

Good old American engineering or as my older friend calls it the Rube Goldberg in us all. Great Job. thery are most likely better than the orginals.

A AAAAAplus rating to you.

Bob Geco

Great Work MacGyver

Nice!! Thats awesome.

and for those who find the instructions handy,
but have 12 thumbs on their hands, the MB part number is;

000 589 88 63 00

which here in Europe cost ~1€... (a little over $1)

br,
syljua

I managed this with only 6 thumbs -

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/car-audio-multimedia/162972-does-anyone-have-stereo-removal-tools.html

Probably took me longer than suncat to get them sized and sorted out :P

Sixto
93 300SD

Thanks so much, I was about to walk over and buy some nail files
 

This was much better. I could just steal a hanging folder from the supply room.

Just to add, I made a set using some heavy-duty zip ties and trimming the ends on a curve with scissors.

I tried adding a notch to catch the radio and pull it out, but I tore the cut end off the first time I tried this and had to extract the torn end with an awl.

So if you do try this, don't add the notch (or add a very shallow one). Then when the ties are inserted in the slots, stick your finger into the cassette hole and pull gently forward. If you don't feel it coming with a gentle pull, then try shoving in a little more of the tie to help retract the radio catches.

SUNCAT! Awesome.

99 C280

I made a set using a file folder "hanger" (but just about anything small flat and thin could be made to work). Did not bother to cut out the little tabs like you did (not needed in my case... just release the clips and gently pull out after you open the tape port so you can get a grip). I used tin snips to cut the curve (no need for a saw etc). Simple. Easy. Used the same tools to yank the environment control unit so I could replace the little back light bulb (hope to be able so see what heat/cold settings I have in the DARK now... no more cab light to check cab temp!). Anyway... thanks for the diy post.