Hello folks,

This may be a question for someone with a Haynes manual. I replaced my MS 402 music system with a Symphony. The symphony head unit has a smaller surface area on the spring clips compared to the MS402.

The problem is, it looks like the previous owner has had a screw driver around the cage and have damaged the holes where the spring clips of the head unit clip in and fasten therefore securing the head unit in place. Because the symphony has the smaller clips, its poking out about 5mm (not flush with the dash) and when pressing controls it obviously moves.

I hope I'm making sense so far... Does anyone know if its easy to replace the holder/cage that the head unit and drawer sit in or would it be quite a pain in the a**? I'm trying to think of a way of repairing the damaged cage. The two holes where the head unit clips in should be square, but the edge closest to the front of the dash is where the damage has occurred and they are more oval/jagged where a screw driver has been taken to them...

I could just live with it, but it if anyone has an easy solution then that would be brill!

Cheers

Are you sure the wiring's tucked away properly at the back, otherwise that will push the unit out from the dash? It should be a fairly snug fit with or without the clips engaging properly with the lugs.

The 'cage' is the whole bit of trim from glovebox lid to steering column, so I'd be looking at effecting a repair rather than replacing it if it isn't that. One way to do it might be to epoxy a couple of strips of thin but reasonably stiff plastic in line with the damaged edge (something like the lid of an ice cream tub would do, I reckon). These should be thin enough not to catch on the HU, but will obviously restore the required straight edge (if that's what's required)

Edited 1 October, 200916 yr by ap0gee

The insert is available, Mine was broken when i had my head unit replaced, I think the dealer let the apprentice at my dash with a wrecking bar!

Car was returned to me with the H/U off centre and proud at one side and my cup holder refused to open.

Went back in and mentioned it, Part was ordered there and then, I was asked to pop in and have it fitted 2 days later, By a very apologetic service manager.

The insert is available...

Is that only for aftermarket HUs, though, or do newer Fabias have a slightly different dash? Only, as you can see, the HU cage compatible with the OEM stereos is part of the dash moulding (on our two 51-, 54-plate cars, at least...)

(Ignore the arrows...)

Is that only for aftermarket HUs,

Symphony!

After i got it back, I had the stereo out to refit my Connects2, The guts of the dash were definitely new

So are you saying it's the part shown (glovebox to steering column, as described above)? Presumably you got it FOC, but I bet it costs a pretty penny to supply and fit if you have to pay for it...

These guides I did describe between them the required steps to remove it from the rest of the dash:

http://briskoda.net/fabia-technical-guides/how-fix-noisy-fabia-ventilation-fan/65038/

http://briskoda.net/technical-guides/fabia-evap-temp-sensor-how-pics/66182/ (steps 1-7 only)

http://briskoda.net/fabia-technical-guides/fabia-heater-air-con-control-panel-replacement-how-pics/125414/

It's a fair bit of work when some leftover plastic and a bit of Araldite would probably do...

Yeah changed FOC.

I was told the centre insert was a separate part.

Though i never saw it or fitted it

Strange thing, You pic shows the whole moulding as one colour, On mine the outer is onyx while the guts are black,

Possible re-design?

Failing that they could possibly have replaced the lower half of the dash!

It was done while i waited, Just over a half hour! IIRC

My money's on a redesign, then, as the sheer number of screws that need to be taken out / put back in probably rule out a complete swap that fast...

Thanks for all the replies! Sorry I've taken a day to reply!

The wires are definitely tucked away, I've removed them and tucked them behind the cage to ensure so. Its very visible that someone has damaged the plastic holder cage 'thing' so its great to know the dealer can order one. I would normally try and replace it myself but it it involves remove a lot of the center console then I'd be tempted to pass the hassle onto the dealer!

In regard to the image I'm not sure, it looks like it looked (i replaced the head unit nearly two weeks ago) but from the screws I can see in that image, it matches.

Thanks for pointing out the guides, certainly looks a bit of a faff-on for something that's more 'cosmetically out of place' than anything serious. Perhaps I'll give the edge of an ice cream tub a go with a blob of strong plastic glue!

Cheers for the help!