FABIA - I am so sorry to have ask such a basic question but could somebody tell me what way up the removal keys should go in the stereo - the hooked bit on the end up or down? I can feel the clip but cannot get the keys to engage. Many thanks

shouldn't matter as you are only pushing some locking tabs in towards the radio so it's the thickness that counts.

I found some Kenwood ones from halfords did the job nicely.

European ones didnt fit

I am not sure that I am pushing the keys in far enough, they seem to have a small lip that stops the key going in any further than about 2cm. Maybe you are supposed to push them right in further. Think I am going to have to take the car to Halfords and see if they can remove it.

Yep no hook is required.

Need to shove them in about 4/5cm, you'll hear a clonk when they're fully engaged.

Kenwood ones from halfords work fine, in fact well

Yep no hook is required.

Need to shove them in about 4/5cm, you'll hear a clonk when they're fully engaged.

Kenwood ones from halfords work fine, in fact well

Indeed

Thanks everybody - I think I am now getting the keys in and the clips pushing in - only prob is the stereo is wedged in so tight. Have to carry on with this tomorrow - many thanks for the assistance.

Watch they dont take the dash with it , not the most careful when i took my car there had more wires than BT

Thanks for the advice - I have heard other reports like this which is why I would like to do it myself. I will have to try again tomorrow but it feels pretty solid in there to me. I have all the parts just need to get the old unit out. Many thanks again.

There are a number of things that can be done to persuade the little bleeder to come loose.

The tray/bin underneath it is held in by the stereo, so once the locks are off, try waggling it from there.

The false buttons and the two switches about it pop out with modest pressure.

The vertical trim strips down each side pop off with quite a lot of effort. Best done with a screwdriver after removing the buttons above.

HTH...

J.

Ok thanks for the advice - you say the pull out draw underneath the stereo is held in by the stereo. Does this mean that the draw should pull right out of the dash along with the stereo. I guess this can be re-secured back in place when I put a new stereo in. Going to look at this again when I get in from work tonight - thanks very much indeed for all the advice.

I find it easier to take the vertical trims off either side of the stereo and release the clips by pushing them in with a screwdriver.

Thanks everybody - I think I am now getting the keys in and the clips pushing in - only prob is the stereo is wedged in so tight. Have to carry on with this tomorrow - many thanks for the assistance.

if its a newer Fabia , then yes it will be pretty much wedged in , my brothers was the same , i did a "how to" guide to removal in the thread that was going at the time

Many thanks to everybody for the advice. The old stereo is out. The new stereo is in and it all works great. Again many thanks.