Ford Expedition Type Radios - Removal

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NOTE DISCLAIMER:  I will not accept liability for anyone's repair attempts.  This information is posted for informational purposes only.  Don't try this without proper training.  Any repair attempts are at your own risk. It may not be the same problem that mine had.  Don't hold me financially liable to any damage or expenses you may incur.  This fix suggestion is not meant to put anyone's audio repair business out of business, etc,...

Figure 1 - '97 Expedition Radio - Cassette with Controls for Remote CD

Getting your Radio out of an Expedition Dash:

The first step to the radio repair is to remove the radio from the dash.  In the Expeditions, there is a bezel that covers the radio that must be removed.  The bezel is help in place by some compression snaps.  To remove the bezel, you just need to pry the bezel away from the dash.

Figure 2 - Removing Front Bezel

Gripping the bezel by the A/C vents and prying from where the bezel meets the dash, pull the bezel away from the dash.  It should pop away from the dashboard.

Figure 3 - Bezel Removed (this picture already has the radio removed...for those of you staying alert).

Figure 4 - DIN Tools to remove the Radio from the dash
(or see how to make DIN tools at www.shareamemory.com/radio/removal.htm)

DIN removal tools are needed to remove the radio out of the cavity of the dash.  DIN removal tools are inserted into the holes of radio (two holes per DIN tool, two DIN tools needed to remove the radio).  The DIN removal tools can be purchased from Wal-Mart for about $4 or for about $8 from Best Buy.  There are directions to make some removal tools yourself at www.shareamemory.com/radio/removal.htm however, I have been recommending that it may be easier to buy the DIN removal tools since it seems that they no longer make sturdy clothes hangers that are required to make your own DIN tools (most clothes hangers today are too flimsy to work adequately).

Figure 5 - Disconnecting the Rear Radio Plugs

With the radio pulled from the dash, you'll still need to disconnect the rear connectors (shown in Figure 5 above) to completely get the radio out of the vehicle.  To remove and release these connectors, you'll need to make sure to press in on the tab (shown above in Figure 5 on the two connectors) then pull the connector out.  Note, the coaxial antennae plug does not have a tab to push...just pull it out of the radio.