Car Stereos: removing radio / cd player, ford radio, hole version

Question
QUESTION: Hey Dave how are you doing?

I just wanted to ask if you can tell me or send a illustration of how to remove the radio/cd player from a 2002 ford explorer xlt (single disk). it need to be replaced. the cd player is not working

         thank you
         Karl Thomas
ANSWER: Hi Karl -

Most Ford radios (with exception to some oddities) have 4 holes on the face of the radio.  Top and bottom left, and top and bottom right side.  I believe your '02 explorer should have those holes as well.

There is a special U-shaped ford radio removal tool(you need two of them to remove the radio) that you'll need to get it out.  If you have the tools, it's super easy, simply stick one of the U-shaped tools into the holes on one side of the radio until they click, do the same on the other side and the radio should slide out with no problem.

You can try and get these tools from Ford but they'll probably tell you they don't sell them.  Best bed is to find them on Ebay.  You can pick them up for under 10 bucks usually, I wouldn't pay any more than that.

If your radio doesn't have those 4 holes let me know, but I'm 99% sure it does. Look for them on the right and left edges of the radio.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Thanks a bunch!

Dave

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: dave my radio is the one without the 4-holes.
so how do i remove the face plate to get to the bracket and does it also just slide out

Answer
Hey bud

If you don't have the 4 hole version of the radio, then to my knowledge you'll need to remove the part of the dash that the radio is housed in.  There are too many cars out there for me to know exactly how to remove every radio by heart.  Most of installing is looking at the situation and figuring it out.  Your best bet is to buy a haynes guide.  They give you exploded view of your entire car.  It's the best purchase you can make if you want to work on any part of your car.  Sorry I can't be more specific about your exact car but I think that getting the book would help you out the most.  Once you get the dash piece off, there a huge chance that the radio is iso-mounted, which basically means it's held on by 4 bolts, one on each corner.  Once you take those bolts out (very easy) the radio should just slide out.  Pull the plug from the back, pull the antenna plug out and swap the radio.

Hope that helps.  Get the book, trust me!

Dave