95 lumina radio removal

[StewartFan20]

Wife got a new cd player for her 95 lumina and I'm tasked with installing it. I have the wiring harness, adapter kit, and player, now I need to know how to remove the existing one. Anyone have any pictures of the process or have a step by step procedure to get to it? I can handle the wiring and kit installation but the wife would kill me if I mess up the dash in any way....it's in perfect condition.

[gw84]

first thing to do is to remove the bezel. The whole plastic piece that surrounds the stereo, heater controls, instrument panel, etc has to come off. It just pops off. The hardest part is getting it out from behind the steering wheel. I think it helps if you put the wheel down as far as it will go (tilt lever). You also have to deal with that little cubby hole to the left of the steering wheel. It comes out with the bezel...it's somewhat difficult but it can be done. Once that piece is off, it's pretty self-explanatory...remove the retaining bolts and it should pull right out. good luck!

[dwalmop]

The bezel will feel like it's going to break when you're separating it from the dash. Just keep pulling at the clip and it'll come off. You will most likely cut yourself on all of the sharp plastic edges when you're installing it too, just to warn you in advance.

[StewartFan20]

Sounds like this is going to be fun! Thanks for the tips! Hope to get on it tomorrow after work, time permitting.

[StewartFan20]

Well, I finally got around to installing the radio and it wasn't too difficult. I tilted the steering wheel all the way down, turn the ignition forward and dropped the shift lever all the way down to 1st gear and pulled the bezel off. The worst two things was getting the clearance on the cubby hole to take it off and to re-install it. I also used a wiring harness kit for the first time and boy do those things simplify radio installation or what?! Gone are the days of straight wiring while holding the radio in one hand and fumbling wire nuts with the other. Nice clean install and the wife is happy. Can't ask for more than that.

[gw84]

glad to hear it. I figured that cubby would be somewhat problematic

[dwalmop]

I've installed new stereo's in a few W-body cars, and I've always had to cut out the stupid "peg hole" or whatever you call it in the rear of the stereo cavity. I haven't been able to find a good reason for those to be there in the first place.