Car Stereo Installation

Decius

I have a 1999 Oldsmobile Alero, and am getting an iPod adapter for my after market deck. I need to remove some of the interior pieces of the car to get everything installed and hidden. This is my first time embarking on this. I can strip and rebuild a computer blind-folded, so this should be cake.

Anyhow, I'm reading through the Haynes Guide for my car and the section under removing the dash notes to use a special tool with an angled handle and a wide blade. It's called a trim removal tool, or something to the effect. My question is relatively simple. Should I get such a tool? Or can I just get away with (carefully) using a flathead screwdriver? Also where can I get such a tool, a body shop?

Jobastion

As a "I can strip and rebuild a computer blind-folded" type guy myself, let me give you a piece of advice.

Since it's your first car to strip down, OMGZZ BUY TEH TOOLZZ!!!!''!!!

Seriously. Cause nothing sucks more than breaking the trim... or one of those clip doobers or screws that hold it in place. Except having a breakline snap while going 80 on an interstate in the rain over the mountains. That's not happened to me, but I imagine it would suck more than breaking the trim.

You can buy them at an auto shop place, or Amazon

Decius

So figured. Now I just need to find a place in Canada that sells that. Canadian tire has one, but I'd rather have the set. Thanks

Blake T

Are we talking about removing door panel trim? Usually stripping out the centre console you don't need anything other than a screwdriver.

The door panel trim is piss easy, you don't need the tool and as you suspect you can use a large flat head screwdriver.

Stripping out consoles is deceptively easy, the thing you really need to remember is when you reattach it, there is more to it than just jamming in screws, there are more than one plugs you need to put in. ie, Air con control, Hazard lights, etc. Remember to be thorough.

Edit: You wont break the trim. if you do break anything you will break the small clips that hold them in place. These cost 50 cents to replace.

AtomBomb

I've done that kind of stuff plenty of times without specialized tools. Last time I did it was on a '70 VW Squareback. Because it was so old, the little plastic bits were really brittle and the rubber bits weren't very pliable. I ended up using a 2 pronged barbeque fork. It's smooth, and you can pry from both sides of the plastic thingy at once. Look around your house, I'm sure you have something that will work.

However, since you shouldn't need to take the door panels off, I doubt you'll end up using anything special. In my experience, once you've got the screws out, if you know the correct direction to pull in the trim stuff comes out fairly easily. If you've got the Haynes manual, look it over so you know how/where the various tabs attach.

Decius

Thanks for all your help thus far guys. There seems to be some confusion as to what I'm looking to remove though. Here's some pictures, linked so as to not make this a huge post.

• The only picture I have of the suggested tool, and it's straight from my Haynes guide. However the tear down is based on a similar model year Chev Malibu. This centre is different from my car.
• The centre piece in my car that needs to be removed.
• I'll also need to get back here to run some cable, though it shouldn't be difficult.

So the big question is will I need the special pry tool, or can I get away with what has been suggested thus far (most of which I have lying around).

Blake T

Depending on whether or not you can fit the Screwdriver in there you should be fine.

If it looks like you might be tearing it up you might need a prying tool.

Edit, in terms of the extra wiring, it's fairly easy just tool round and undo screws, the best way to place it would be once you rip it off, get some electrical tape and every foot or so tape it to something substantial.

If you're then running it through a door put it through a rubber sleeve when you are stretching it between the door and the car.

Also are you set up with an amp and sub as well? If you are you need to be careful where you put your wiring.