Getting the stock radio out of the the Mark I Audi TT can be a real pain to do if you don’t have the right tools and if you don’t know how to remove it. If you do have the right tools, equipped with the knowledge on how to remove the radio, it is actually quite easy. I’ve made this short post on the subject to aid you in the removal of the radio on your 2000-2006 Audi TT, in the case that you need help in doing so.
Tools for Removing the Mk1 Audi TT Radio
The stock radio on the 2000-2006 Audi TT has two opening slits on the bottom on each side of the radio. These slits are intended to accept two radio removal tools, which are supposed to go in, hook onto the radio, and pull the radio out.
Unfortunately what usually happens is the hooks do not adequately grab onto the radio and when you go to pull the radio out, it slips and you are not able to pull the radio out. You will need a 90-degree hook tool that will go into your CD player for extra grip to adequately pull the radio out.
ATLIN Radio Removal Tool Set – 4 Pack
ROTATION Precision Hook and Pick Set 4-Piece
How to Remove the Radio on a 2000-2006 Audi TT
Using the tools I’ve recommended above, you will be easily able to remove the stock radio from your Audi TT. If you don’t have the tools, don’t try to to remove the radio; you might damage the radio or the surrounding area. Check out my radio below. You can see some of the damage that was done to the area just left of the radio because someone attempted to pry the radio out with a screwdriver or trim tool.
Use the radio removal tools and slide the thin tools through the two slots on each side of the radio. The flat ends of the handles are supposed to be on the outside sides of the radio. Press the two tools all the way in.
Once you’ve pressed the two tools in all the way, use your 90-degree hook tool and turn it so that it can fit into the CD player slot. Then with the hook tool inserted, turn it 90-degrees. Now, pull the hook tool along with the radio removal tools and pull gently outwards. You can use the hook tool on the opposite side of the CD player opening and do the same thing to get the radio out.
Using this method, you will be able to easily pull the radio out without damaging anything. With the radio removed, you can now proceed to do any work as you were planning to do. I hope that has helped, as I know I struggled at the beginning when I was trying to figure out what the best way was to remove the radio.
