I recently ordered a new CD receiver online, received it today, and promptly got to work removing (or rather, attemping to remove) the factory-installed deck in my 1997 Nissan Maxima SE with Bose stereo.
After some frustration, I made it to the part where I remove the CD receiver from the side brackets--at least, that's what they're called in the instructions that came with my online order. (Later on, they're referred to as "factory brackets.")
Problem is: The screws would not come out. After wailing and gnashng of teeth, I and a helpful auto parts store employee were able to remove 6 of the 8 screws. Unfortunately, the last two are stripped beyond repair. Desperate, I purchased a drill bit and an "easy out" with the intention of drilling a hole just deep enough to then insert the "easy out" (sometimes called a screw extractor) and remove the screw the hard way.
The story gets worse. Hard to believe, I know.
The drill bit actually broke off in the screw and the screw extractor was useless. So I had a deck with one side bracket (again, not sure if that's the right term) attached with one side bracket on. Like an idiot, I didn't think to take pictures of the brackets at the time.
I decided to install the new CD receiver myself because I'm fairly proficient with electronics, but I could not have predicted the difficulty I've had removing these screws.
At this point, my only choices are (a) drop $20 on a GrabIt kit which may or may not work or (b) find and purchase a replacement side bracket.
Which brings me to the title of my thread: Is the piece I'm referring to in my story of heartbreak really called the "side bracket"? Because I can't seem to find any photos or illustrations of the piece I'm seeking when I plug it into Google.
The piece in question is made entirely of gray metal with two holes/circles on each bracket. There's a left and a right bracket and they're mirror images of each other. The factory CD receiver (which is a double DIN unit) is screwed in to each bracket by 4 screws (for a total of 8).
I am at my wit's end trying to remove these screws. I have every intention of calling Nissan and yelling at them until I'm hoarse, even though I know whoever decided that customers who purchase the 1997 Nissan Maxima SE would never, ever be allowed to install an aftermarket CD receiver without hours upon hours of frustration.
I've lost about 8 hours to this project so far. If I could just get a replacement "side bracket" (or whatever it's called) or get the screws out, I'm confident I could handle the rest.
Help! Please!
EDIT: Found an illustration that includes the part I'm talking about. I've used my amazing Paint skills to draw red arrows pointing to the parts I'm referencing.
Modified by Peretz at 10:20 PM 12/4/2009
Need a replacement part for a 97 Maxima, but don't know what it's called
Re: Need a replacement part for a 97 Maxima, but don't know ... (Peretz)
http://www.infinitipartsusa.co...gid=0
Re: Need a replacement part for a 97 Maxima, but don't know ... (Peretz)
If it's the side mounting brackets held on by 4, short philips screws on each side, I know exactly how hard it is to get those screws out. I recently replaced the Bose head unit in my 95 SE with a head unit from a late 90's Pathfinder. The side mounting brackets were different, but other than that both mechanically and electronically the Pathy head unit was a perfect replacement. To swap out the brackets, I had to get the 4 screws out on each side. Just trying to take the screws out with a `normal' sized philips screwdriver and `normal' pressure didn't work at all.
I couldn't believe how tight they were in. I thought it would be more of a problem, but this is how I got the screws out:
1. I tightly propped the entire head unit up in a large vice, so it wouldn't move around.2. I found a very large philips screwdriver with a bit that fit the screws EXACTLY. That's the key.3. I tightly gripped the screwdriver bit (the metal part, obviously) with a large vice grips, and pressed tightly into each screw while loosening (almost with a shock like motion) by twisting the vice grips. All 8 screws loosened right up with this technique on either the first or second try.
Obviously it's too late for you, Peretz, but maybe this can help other people trying to remove those brackets. I can't imagine why those screws are in so tight in the first place.
I couldn't believe how tight they were in. I thought it would be more of a problem, but this is how I got the screws out:
1. I tightly propped the entire head unit up in a large vice, so it wouldn't move around.2. I found a very large philips screwdriver with a bit that fit the screws EXACTLY. That's the key.3. I tightly gripped the screwdriver bit (the metal part, obviously) with a large vice grips, and pressed tightly into each screw while loosening (almost with a shock like motion) by twisting the vice grips. All 8 screws loosened right up with this technique on either the first or second try.
Obviously it's too late for you, Peretz, but maybe this can help other people trying to remove those brackets. I can't imagine why those screws are in so tight in the first place.