I'm trying to remove a CR-220 and replace it with a CDR-220. I inserted the removal tools but the radio won't move at all. I even tried putting screwdrivers through the holes on the removal tools but no luck. I thought all I needed to do was insert the tools and pull. Is there something else holding it in place like a bolt from behind or something?

 

Be very careful w/ the radio removal tools, and make sure the notch is pointed to the outside of the unit. When you insert them, you will feel them click which indicates you've depressed the tabs. Pull gently on all 4 pull tabs and carefully extract radio.

I would not use a screwdriver or use too much force. If you break the tabs you're screwed and will need to have it professionally removed, destroyed or both. Good luck!

 

According to the markings on the removal tools, the notch should be pointed inside. I tried inserting them in the CDR-220 with the notch outside and they won't go in. When I insert them with the notch inside, they click in and depress the 2 blue latches. Both of the radios only have 2 slots for the tools that I can find on the outside of the radio. Are there 2 somewhere else I'm missing?

 

when i removed mine for the first time, it was VERY difficult. the rings on the removal tool cut into my fingers with the amount of force i had to use to pull the radio out. if you hear/feel the click it should be set, then pull very hard. it gets easier any subsequent times you pull the radio.

 

Same thing happened to me. That's why I put the screwdriver through the rings. The removal tool clicked in, but I ended up pulling so hard I ripped them out of the radio. Now they click in, but don't hold very well. I think I'm screwed now.

 

That's the best approach

If it jams, force it....
If it breaks, it needed fixing anyhow....

 

Not quite what I meant. Everybody I talked to said just pull hard, so that's what I did.

 

anyone ever able to get one out without using the removal tools?

 

Definitely not possible w/o breaking something to get the radio out w/o the right removal keys. On my car the radio needs to be pushed down towards the ground (press on the top, with the faceplate removed, with a slim blade) while pulling the keys, or it will not budge either. Curves and notches must face inward. All they do is press in the side tabs, and the notch clicks in place to allow pull out of the radio. If the keys pull out easily, the notches are probably gauled. They are aluminum, or soft alloy, the tabs on the side of the radio are steel.

 

I think I remember sort of pressing the tools toward each other (like pinchers) as I was pulling to get things out. I'm surprised to hear how difficult it was for you guys. I remember it just sliding out with minimal force...

 

+1 with mine. That reminds me that I loaned mine to my buddy and I never got them back.

 

I used the little levers off of finger nail clippers. Dont need no stinkin' tool.....

 

I did the same thing. You have to "pinch" the ends of the tool together to push the tabs on the radio in and release the radio. That's what I did and it came out very smooth. Hope this helps....

 

The following two pictures might help. The first shows my homemade, but should be about the same as the factory tool being inserted as viewed from the bottom of the radio. You want the curved / slotted side of the clip toward the inside of the radio.

In the first pic you can see the curved part of the tool moving the little tab (indicated by the pen point) inward. The second pic shows the clip after it has snapped into the slot in the tool.

 

Well 2 days later and I've gotten it to move a whole 1/4"!

It won't be a total waste if my first attempt at posting pictures works.