How to Replace the Car Stereo of a 1998 Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Motor Company's roots stretch back to 1924 when its founder, Sakichi Toyoda, invented the Toyoda Model G Automatic Loom. In 1933, Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, Ltd added an automotive department and finally established Toyota Motor Company in 1937. Arguably the most well known Toyota, the Corolla, arrived in the U.S. in 1968 as a simple 60-horsepower alternative to American muscle cars. 1998 brought about the eighth generational change for the Corolla. The 1998 Corolla had an optional two- or four-speaker audio system with an available cassette or CD player.

Things You'll Need

  • Flat-head screwdriver
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Pry the bottom part of the radio bezel -- the plastic trim surrounding the radio -- away from the dash, using a flat-head screwdriver. Once the bezel is far enough out to grab it with your fingers, pull the remaining sides of the bezel outward to disengage the retaining clips. Set the bezel on top of the dashboard -- there is no need to unplug the wires plugging into the rear of the bezel.

  • Remove the four screws holding the radio in place, using a Phillips screwdriver. Slide the radio from the dashboard just far enough so you can access the wiring on the rear of the radio. Press the locking button and unplug each wiring harness on the rear of the radio. Grasp the antenna cable -- the thick black cable -- and pull it from the radio with a slight twisting motion. Pull the radio from the Corolla.

  • Plug the wiring harnesses into the rear of the new radio, and listen for them to click into place -- they are different sizes, so they can only go one way. Plug the antenna wire into the rear of the radio.

  • Slide the radio into the dashboard, and tighten the four radio-retaining screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

  • Place the radio bezel back in place around the radio, and line up the clips on the rear of the bezel with the slots in the dashboard. Lightly tap around the perimeter of the bezel with your hand to engage the retaining clips, locking the bezel in place.