Is a Torx wrench all you need in order to get the @#$% radio out?

I went to my local dealer to see if they could show me how to get the radio out of an e39. They told me that I needed a special tool in order to get it out and that I could set up an appointment with them to do it. However, I remember seeing a write up by cn90 on how to get it out very easily. I tried to use the torx #10 wrench in the DIY but I think I may have broke something.

For those who have taken out the radio....What happens when you turn the torx #10 screw that is behind the volume knob? Does the radio just pop out or do you need another tool to prop it out? Thanks.

Originally Posted by USCRX

I went to my local dealer to see if they could show me how to get the radio out of an e39. They told me that I needed a special tool in order to get it out and that I could set up an appointment with them to do it. However, I remember seeing a write up by cn90 on how to get it out very easily. I tried to use the torx #10 wrench in the DIY but I think I may have broke something.

For those who have taken out the radio....What happens when you turn the torx #10 screw that is behind the volume knob? Does the radio just pop out or do you need another tool to prop it out? Thanks.

All you need is the Torx wrench. There is no spcial tools required. After you back out the screw in the volume knob, the HU will swing out.

Here is a link:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94765

Hope this helps...JL

It is NOT a torx but an allen key. I can't remember the size but I think it's a 2mm or 2.5mm. Do a search. Turn the allen screw 90 degrees and gently pry out that side of the MID. It will come out with little effort.

Originally Posted by Fudman

It is NOT a torx but an allen key. I can't remember the size but I think it's a 2mm or 2.5mm. Do a search. Turn the allen screw 90 degrees and gently pry out that side of the MID. It will come out with little effort.

2.5 mm Allen hex key.

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/all/ste...oval_tool.html

I followed cn90's and a bunch of others and wrote it up for you here ...

Given ...
(2002, BMW, 525i, Business CD, no DSP, no Nav, no CD changer, no tapedeck, no Sirius stellite radio, no bluetooth phone)

Tools:
- Despite what other instructions say, I didn't need philips or torx screwdrivers.
- I only needed a 1.5 mm allen wrench & a 2 mm allen wrench
- 10mm box wrench (to disconnect & reconnect the battery)

Disconnect the battery:
- Open the trunk (you may wish to leave it open after disconnecting battery cables).
- With a 10 mm box or socket wrench, remove both battery cables, negative first.

Remove the MID unit:
- Cover the gear-shift knob with a soft towel to protect it and the equipment you're removing.
- With your fingers, pull the Multi-Information Display (MID) knob straight out & off.
- With a flashlight, locate the allen-head set screw at the 6 o'clock position just below serrated post.
- Insert a 1.5 mm Allen hex-head wrench & twist 90 degrees counterclockwise to retract the MID lock pin.
- With your hands, using light force, pull the MID unit straight out away from the dashboard.
- Disconnect the MID data-input cable (press the fancy Molex-connector lever & flip it's handle 90 degrees).
- Place the MID unit in a safe place (e.g., on a towel strategically placed across the back seat).

Remove the Business CD & radio combination unit:
- Twist the two 2 mm allen head clamp-adjust screws under the Business CD just until they spin freely.
- With your hands, using light force, pull the Business CD straight out away from the dash.
- Unclip the small black radio aerial connector by depressing the raised ridge with your fingers and pulling straight out.
- Unclip the very large radio-cable harness by depressing a small tab inside the black lever then opening the lever upwards.
- Pull the radio-cable harness connector straight out, away from the Business CD unit.
- Place the radio in a safe place (e.g., on a towel placed across the back seat).

Damn stealers….

Inside screw must be stripped. My hex wrench goes around in a circle. No click.

Just get a small jewelery flat screw driver and it should move. That small screw does not require much force to untwist it.

You only have to turn the screw 90 degrees.

If it won't turn anymore ... you might be at the 90-degree point.

Just pull the MID out with your hands if the screw is in the 90 degree position.

If the MID won't come out, and the wrench turns and turns, then either your hex wrench is slipping inside the head or the screws are stripped.

If the head is stripped, maybe a larger allen wrench will work ...

good luck,
Bluebee

Originally Posted by USCRX

Inside screw must be stripped. My hex wrench goes around in a circle. No click.

I followed one of the references which says it's common for the E39 radio-mount screws to be damaged ...

I'm guessing because people use the wrong tool (e.g., Torx, to start with); and they keep turning even after they've twisted 1/4 turn (90 degrees).

Anyway, maybe the $5 tool in that reference will help ...

It is not a screw, rather a rotation lever, spring loaded

Originally Posted by ztom

It is not a screw, rather a rotation lever, spring loaded

I agree. BMW is very clever about their connections. We should stop calling them "screws" because they don't act like things "screwed in".

For one, the 1/4-trun volume-knob bolt is more like a hook (sort of like a laptop PC cable lock 90-degree turn to unhook it). Turn 1/4 one way to unlock; turn 1/4 the other way to lock.

Likeswise, the two business-cd bolts are more like the bolt on a wood clamp. You don't need to remove them; you just loosen up the clamp. For these two bolts, you just spin them out until they spin freely and out comes the business CD.

To the OP, would you give us an update?

The reason I ask (other than as a courtesy to those who spent effort to help you) is that someone else has the same problem posted today.
- Removing BMW Business RDS stereo

For reference, see also this thread updated today:
- E39 (1997 - 2003) > E39 MID removal (without Torx)

Small allen key to undue three latches. One behind the volume knob and one one each side of the CD player.

Another stripped torx screw today ...

Originally Posted by inruiwetrust

So I've been attempting to take out the radio out of my car now for quite a few hours as it seems the person before me totally broke the release screw in the volume knob. I have looked up a few different solutions that some users have come up with but none seems to be working for me. The release screw is completely broken, so trying to go in from the volume knob is not going to do any good as it is no longer attached to the release. I read one user got his out by fabricating a piece of sheet metal and going from under the HVAC to release the latch that way but I have no means of fabricating such metal nor can I get to it with a screwdriver or my fingers. Another shoved a screwdriver down the right side of the radio and got the radio to pop out after pulling it. I tried that and that hasn't done anything at all. Can anyone think of any other solution aside from blowing the thing up?