Technical How to remove radio bracket

[radicool]

Well I finally returned the courtesy car yesterday that I've had for 3 months and got my Stilo back, at least until the replacement arrives next year.

So I got the chance to put in my cn+!

I took out the original radio/CD, and imagine my excitement when I found all the connections that are required for the cn+ were just lying unused behind the radio. The GPS and GSM connectors were there, as well as a big white one and a little yellow one, plus the usual power and speaker connectors!

Do all Abarth's come out with the connectors already installed? Or I was thinking maybe it's because I have EasyGo and I know the antenna for EasyGo is the same as the one for GSM/GPS.. Anybody else with an Abarth without cn+ opened it up before and seen what's hiding behind the radio?

Ok, but now for the big question... How the @$%# do you get the old radio bracket out (and put the new one in). The bottom loop is trapped between two plates with a long peg going through the middle of everything. I tried a million things, but there didn't seem to be any way to get the peg to slide forwards so the bracket can easily be pulled out. The peg is basically attached to the whole front console that surrounds the aircon etc that reaches down to the center console and leg rests. :bang:

Eventually I managed to pull everything apart enough to slip the peg out, but I know that can't be the right way, and I'd like to make it easier when I have to remove the cn+ again, and put it into my new Stilo when it arrives.

EDIT: I've attached a crude diagram in case nobody knows what I'm talking about!

 

[santa]

I know how you feel.
I had the same problem, and ended up cutting the bracket apart and removing it. Fortunately i was putting in a "normal" radio so i didn't have to put in a new bracket.
Hope you get the new bracket in.

 

[NumanR]

Official Fiat way is to remove grommet from the ns bulkhead, dislocate all finger joints, wrist joints, elbow and shoulder joints, breathe out as far as you can. Slide your entire body into the hole until up to the waist, take a breath now. Travel up the aircon piping and drill a 3/16ths hole into the back of the radio hole, (forgot drill?, slide back out and get drill and repeat up till now). Push little finger through hole and unscrew screw on bracket using finger nail. Slide out of tubing etc the way you came. Call ambulance as you probably cant put all the joints back in on your own

Unofficial way is to remove the plastic peg either with a sharp knife or bent piece of hacksaw blade, its not terribly easy but better than the alternative above. :bang: