How do I...?

[kev131]

....remove the the blanking recess for the radio location in the dashboard.

There are 2 retaining clips on the underneath of the top surface which when pulled down allow the top edge of the part to pull forward - Howevere it is still retained at the bottom and only moves as if it is bottom hinged.

I'm reluctant to use to much force or to lever to much as it is very easy to damage the dahsboard material.

Any ideas...?





I was also doing a few more jobs on my Super today. I bought a pair of Pioneer 10cm door speakers at Halfords over Xmas - Using up some gift vouchers. They were good value at ?39.99 although are priced at only ?19.99 on the UK website!! They had the largest frequency range of all of the speakers on display so I'm hoping for a well rounded musical performance. Next step is to buy a radio unit which is where the start of this post comes in.

[mclements131]

butcherd mint doorcard   shame

[gerafiori]

there are two yumps on the base aswell
lever the base ot with something wide like apaint scraper
this will help spread the load on the dash

[131DHOC]

As you know the inner structure of the dashboard is metallic, and the rectangular opening has a cutting inner border you will see when the blanking recess will be out. I think you can use a wide and plane tool with no risk of cracking the dashboard; maybe there are some hidden plastic pins on the down side too. 

[kev131]

Thanks for the suggestions Gerry and 131DHOC - I'll give that a try.

Cheers 

[kev131]

That suggestion worked a treat - it just popped out.

Ready now for the radio installation!

One discovery - There is an arial lead behind the panel - however I don't obviously see where it goes - Does anyone know where it ends up?

[131DHOC]

It goes to the inner part of rear left wing, besides the carpet; together with it you will find the two pole cable for the electrical antenna, these end up near the steering wheel regulation knob, where you should install the typical switch. Don't you have the user's guide? What a mint car, why did you post the hood photos? Really clean and mint.

[131DHOC]

I inform you that the electric installation of this car does not include any fuse for the radio so you will have to add a flying one to the positive cable.

[kev131]

Thanks for the suggestions 131DHOC - Yes I should have thought to look at the hand book.

And yes it confirms everything you have said although it does suggest that a live lead is provided as well as speaker cables, none of which are in evidence.

However having had a good poke around in the boot behind all of the carpets and inside the panelling I can see no evidence of the arial cable...! It must be going somewhere..? 

[131DHOC]

You should check out the insulating panel besides the rear window:

[Thotos]

Did you look to the left of the fuel tank near the left rear strut? (as shown in the photo above).

[kev131]

Thanks for your suggestions guys.

Here is what I can see. Maybe I wil need to go looking under the cill covers and/or seats/carpets...??

[Thotos]

Did series 3 cars have roof mounted aerials? If so the wire might run up the A-pillar. My 1980-something Strada had a roof mounted aerial.

[kev131]

Well that was my original plan and I have a roof mounted arial with 200cm of cable ready to fit. However if the existing cable was routed to the rear wing like the handbook suggests (although it is an English and not an Italian handbook) I would exchange it for a wing mounted one.

Least amount of disruption..and its less invasive to replace a rear quarter than the roof when the rust from the arial hole spreads and tales hold!!?

I'll take off the trim on the A pillar tomorrow and have a look.?

[131DHOC]

The photo I have posted is from an italian manual. The third series cars came standard with those cables fitted. The antenna hole in my old car never rusted, being the car never preserved from rain.