peruski

My flasher relay is dead. I have a new one and I am ready to put it in. However somewhere along the line the headunit in my car has been subject to some unholy abuse or 'shadetree mechainc' and the radio relase tabs are effed. I spent an hour at a local stereo shop trying without sucess to release the headunit with the "official radio removal tool" directly from Audi...
Is there another way to get this out? At this point I don't even care if I have to destroy the factory headunit. But before I do I would at least like to know that if it comes to that, I will be able to remove it. I don't relish the idea of a broken headunit that is also permanantly stuck...

I need turn signals more than I need a radio...help please.

ttrut

I would get two thin 1/8" steel strips(so they don't bend too much), cut them as they are on Jeff's DIY radio tool writeup. See if you can torque them hard enough (pushing both makeshift tools away from the headunit so the tips press inwards onto the hu) to get some friction while you pull. This will probably be a huge pita, but if you get it to budge at all, keep at it and you'll get it eventually. I wrestled with mine for 20 or 30 minutes before it gave way.

ttrut

<ul><li><a href="http://www.loomknitting.com/auditt/">http://www.loomknitting.com/auditt/</a</li></ul>

TTuned

Thought my release tabs were screwed up. I tried yanking inward with tools I purchased off eBay.

Cruzad3r

the HU. are you sure 100% sure that you're using the keys correctly. Also if this is your first time pulling the HU, you might have to apply a little bit of force. my stubborn HU was putting up a fight for about 2 hours but i finally got it out. my fingers hurt like hell but i come out on top

good luck

Jake

TTempted

then again, my arms are pretty scrawny and also ended up finding every piece of sharp, unprotected piece of metal while I was back there, but it worked.

I used Jeff's writeup to make some tools with a pair of wire cutters. I had similar problems with one of the tabs on the radio where it wouldn't respond to the tool.

TT_Nuge

Had to do that on mine, needed some extra persuasion.

TTransport

Drive it home with the radion hangin out by 1/2" and then do your work.

If you've got a good dealer they'll take care of you for no charge.

Seneb

I've had Circuit City pop it for me a couple times for free. Now I have the keys.

kyle

After installing the keys (the cheapo kind) I had to pry gently on each side of the radio with a PLASTIC scraper. After a little persuasion the radio came out.