Getting the stock radio out of the the Mark I Audi TT can be a real pain if you don’t know how to do it and also don’t have the right tools. If you are equipped with the proper tools and the knowledge to remove your radio, it is actually quite easy to do. I’ve made this short tutorial 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 it out. The tools are these very thin hooks that go into these slots.
Unfortunately what ends up happening is that the hooks do not adequately grab onto the radio and when you go to pull the radio out, it slips. You end up not being able to pull your radio out. What you need in addition to those radio removal tools is a 90-degree hook tool that will go into your CD player for extra grip in order to adequately pull the radio out. These 90-degree hook tools normally come in a set of hook and pick tools.
ATLIN Radio Removal Tool Set – 4 Pack
ROTATION Precision Hook and Pick Set 4-Piece
How to Remove the Radio on a 2000-2006 MK1 Audi TT
Using the tools I’ve recommended above, you will easily be 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. If you look at my radio below, you can see that someone had attempted to pry the radio out previously, leaving some damage just left of the radio.
Use the radio removal tools and slide these hooks 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 radio removal tools all the way in, use your 90-degree hook tool and turn it so that it can fit through the CD player slot. Then with the hook tool inserted, turn it 90-degrees. Now, pull the hook tool against the CD player, along with the radio removal hooks and all together, pull out gently.
Using this method, you’ll 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 how to remove the radio.
