Radio Sub-Dash Assembly removal?

Does anyone know how hard it is to remove the radio sub-dash assembly from a 2007 Cayman ? Background: I recently pulled the factory Sound Package Plus CDR-24 radio from my car and installed a Pioneer , double DIN, AVH-4100NEX HU using the Metra 99-9606 kit (very reasonably priced). I spent quit a bit of time ensuring that all the wiring was done correctly, USB1 cable installed, HDMI cable installed, illumination wire, etc. I even 'tested' the functionality of the unit before slipping it into place. I was pretty proud of myself for a job well done and proceeded to 'click' the assembly in place per the Metra instructions. About 30 seconds later, I suddenly realized that I had forgotten to plug in the microphone wire! I then realized that the Metra kit does NOT allow for a very easy radio removal (which makes for a great theft deterrent). I tried releasing the locking tabs by putting a screw driver / butter knife in between the kit and the frame with no luck. There is not enough room for me to plug the microphone into place from behind with the radio installed. The Metra instructions say, "Note: Once the radio is snapped in it will not release unless the entire radio sub-dash assembly is removed." (I guess they are not kidding) I called their Tech Support to ask advice and they are clueless on any suggestions. I can't believe they would make a kit that is sooo difficult to remove. Does anyone know, a) How to release the locking tabs on the metra kit, or 2) What the procedure is for removing the radio sub-dash assembly? Lesson Learned: Double check that ALL connections are made before locking in the radio using this kit. Heaven help you if you ever have to remove it to have it repaired/replaced. Jerry

I have the American International brand POR911 kit and though it looks to be a pain in the @ss to remove is removable. I'm glad I wasn't sent your kit. Good luck my friend. Sent from my StarTrek communicator using Tapatalk

You posted this so long ago but I hope you found a solution. I am attempting to remove mine and am ready to live without my microphone. I did the same damn thing. Any suggestions?

Are you trying to remove the entire metal structure the radio sits in (called the "Tunnel Support")? If so, I think you are stuck....one of the first steps is "remove the radio". Assuming that is only there to protect the radio, other steps are: Remove the triggering unit for the airbags, remove the glove compartment, remove the air conditioning system regulator, remove switch console....Net: not an easy/quick job.

Hey Zuch. I am simply trying to take out the double din radio I installed about 2 years ago. I had used the POR911S mounting kit from American International. It says to remove by pressing the tabs. The tabs have been pressed but it won't budge. I removed the surround and all the trim on the dash trying everything I could think of to no avail.

Yeah, I was kind of responding JATAYLOR's post/idea for getting out of your situation. Sorry, I can't help with the POR911S mount kit.

Did anyone find a way to get the Metra kit out? Need to get behind mine as well.

On the off-chance that your mountings was of the same (or similar) design - take a look at this: After market HU removal Examine the photo. The clips you want are shown as #2 (not #3- a common error). The trick is to open all 4 at the same time using toothpicks or q-tips

I think that worked..

Did you ever solve this as have the same issue with my wife’s 987?

Hi Paul.. welcome to Planet-9, the friendly Porsche forum! Might I suggest you visit the new member intro forum and introduce yourself (and your Porshe) to the group? New Member Introductions You asked if we ever solved "this" - what exactly is "this"?? It helps if you define your question as well as possible - you'll get better answers. There is a discussion of several different aftermarket radio mounting systems above, I'd assume that's what you're looking for help with. Is it one of the systems above? If so - which one? For the one, I linked to on the Crutchfield website I mentioned using a hacksaw blade to cut off the locking tabs. Obviously, that would be done after removing the bezel around the screen of the aftermarket radio. That's fairly easy to do - it's held on by 4 plastic clips, if you pull the sides of it outwards it will come out of the mounting clips, leaving you access to a gap between the plastic mounting plates and the stock Porsche metal box. The tabs can be cut off using the hacksaw blade, or perhaps even pushed back and released using a thin putty knife or old charge-card. The pieces in the green squares are where the bezel attaches. The red-circled tabs are what you're trying to get to release. They tend to pop into the cutout in the factory frame, and don't want to release. Let us know what you're looking to do and on which mounting system and I'm sure someone will help you out!! Again - welcome to Planet-9!

Many thanks for the reply and apologies for the non specific question. I fitted a pioneer head unit in my wife’s 987 and forgot to connect the mic lead. I used a Metra 99-9606 fitting kit similar to your image. It does state that once snapped into place you need to remove the dash sub assembly to extract it.

Hi Paul. I wish I'd found this thread 4 hours ago. Anyway, I now a member of the idiot club with a beautifully installed radio without the mic, the DAB aerial, the GPS receiver or the speed pulse connected. Luckily, I did manage to fish the radio's USB connector out the back of the lower console so at least I have (wired) Airplay working. This is a truly appalling design. I have some thoughts about how I might release the radio, so I'll post here if any of them work. - Andrew

@AndrewK - thanks for following up and finishing out the thread. That's some quite useful info..

UPDATE: OK, so that all went pretty smoothly. I did cut down the lugs on the glove compartment side of the double-din adapter side panels. The plastic is very soft, so I just snipped a bit off with side cutters, and now the front bezel clips on and off very easily. You can't see any difference cosmetically once the leather pieces are reinstalled, and the bezel still fits snugly. Refitting the A pillar cover was a little more difficult than I was anticipating. The problem was getting the lower clip to engage in the right place, but once I got that properly engaged, everything went very smoothly. I'm very pleased with the overall result, but I do have a few reservations about the Double Din unit I installed (Kenwood DMX-8020-DABS). First, the screen is pretty poor in comparison to the latest mobile devices and tablets (e.g. iPhone or iPad). It's adequate, and actually quite good with my Boxster's hood up, but in bright ambient lighting, and especially if there's any sunlight on it, it's quite difficult to read. this is particularly annoying when you're trying to use CarPlay for navigation. I may still install a phone holder for my iPhone, but I'll see how I get on. Second, the UI is not particularly intuitive. I'm sure I'll get used to it, but they could have tried a bit harder, to be honest. For example, I can't find the BBC multiplex on DAB. I'm sure there's a way to force a scan, but it's not clear how to do that and I will have to look at the manual. Finally, I really wish it had a physical knob. The one thing I do miss in the Boxster over my other cars is steering wheel controls, and I don't want to try to retrofit any, but I wish there was a physical volume knob, or, failing that, I wish there was a remote control with a physical volume knob on it. I may have found one, but it's from a dodgy looking Chinese supplier, so we'll see if it's any good when and if it turns up .