98 Legacy removal question

[Dave]

Hello all



Can someone please help we with how to remove the radio cover in my 98
Legacy?

I've removed the cup holder and top air-conditioner vent cover but can't get
the main radio cover off. The upper portion seems to unclip ok but the
lower part near the ashtray and lighter seems to be held on by something
that I can't see or undo.

I've also taken out the ashtray container.



Thanks very much in advance for any suggestions. I'm not a mechanic



Dave

 

[johninky]

Hello all

Can someone please help we with   how to  remove the radio  cover in my 98
Legacy?

I've removed the cup holder and top air-conditioner vent cover but can't get
the main radio cover off.  The upper portion seems to unclip ok but the
lower part near the ashtray and lighter seems to be  held  on by  something
that I  can't see or  undo.

I've also taken out the ashtray container.

Thanks very much in advance for any suggestions.  I'm not a mechanic

Dave

Almost there. There are two screws directly over the ash tray. Real
bear to remove/install. You'll need one of those small screwdriver
that has a right angle bend.

 

[Dave]

Hello all

Can someone please help we with how to remove the radio cover in my 98
Legacy?

I've removed the cup holder and top air-conditioner vent cover but can't
get
the main radio cover off. The upper portion seems to unclip ok but the
lower part near the ashtray and lighter seems to be held on by something
that I can't see or undo.

I've also taken out the ashtray container.

Thanks very much in advance for any suggestions. I'm not a mechanic

Dave

Almost there. There are two screws directly over the ash tray. Real
bear to remove/install. You'll need one of those small screwdriver
that has a right angle bend.

AHA ! You mean those two that go up vertically inside the ash tray
opening, right?

I never would have found them. Thanks ! I'll have to go get one of those
little right angle ratchet screw drivers like you suggested.

Dave

 

[nobody >]

Almost there. There are two screws directly over the ash tray. Real
bear to remove/install. You'll need one of those small screwdriver
that has a right angle bend.

AHA ! You mean those two that go up vertically inside the ash tray
opening, right?

I never would have found them. Thanks ! I'll have to go get one of those
little right angle ratchet screw drivers like you suggested.

Dave

And it's even worse putting them back in ;{

Another item to think about (and it's not just the '98 model year).
Those Phillips screws used there and other places in the dash/radio area
are a PITA to get back in on reassembly. The first time, I used snippets
of duct tape to hold the screws on the driver. Even then, I dropped the
screws anyway when trying to get the "security module" buried alongside
and buried by the radio (2000 OB).

Replace those Phillips screws with squaredrive (Scrulox/) ones from Home
Despot or other hardware stores.(http://www.robertsonscrew.com/) Check
the length and size against the Soobie screws. If I remember correctly
the ones I used were #10 by 3/4".

Squaredrive screws stay on the driver...


You may have to buy a driver bit size #2. Try to get the slightly (about
1") extended one if possible.

To use squaredrive screws in the *&^%^%$E ashtray, put the bit in a 1/4"
socket on a thin 1/4" drive ratchet. Possibly easier (and the way I did
it)is to get a 1/4" "box ratchet"
(http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942161000P?keyword=1/4\"+box+ratchet
as example.) and use tape to hold the #2 bit in the wrench.

 

[johninky]

About 20 years ago I was given a big chunk of rare-earth magnet. When
I work with those tiny screws I like to stroke this magnet a few times
with my screwdriver. Bingo. The screwdriver becomes magnetic and no
more dropped screws. By the way, I have never been able to recover
any of those dash screws that fell behind the dash. They always just
disappeared. Most be a black hole or something back there.

 

[Clifford Heath]

I have never been able to recover
any of those dash screws that fell behind the dash. They always just
disappeared. Most be a black hole or something back there.

No, it's a wormhole - the screws mysteriously appear somewhere else.
It's like the wormholes that form between two washing machines full
of socks, which sometimes open enough to allow a sock to fall through,
thereby creating an odd sock in both machines. I'm sure every household
has experienced this one.

Mysteries of life explained ;-)