164 Stereos and ashtrays.

[Kerry Mayes <MAYESK@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I spent the weekend fitting a new stereo to my 92 164 QV.  I have to say the
comments in the 164 FAQ were extremely useful.  I had to dismantle large parts
of the dash to get the previous one out.  My 164 has the cover that comes down
over the radio to hide it away and the similar functioning ashtray underneath. 
My first attempts at getting to the headunit were rather abortive and I had
almost given up when I went back and re-read the FAQ.  This gave me the vital
clue that I just needed to remove the centre console over the gear stick and
handbrake - which was as simple as two screws under the rear ashtray.  The left
hand side carpet was as easy as 1 screw.  

I was also able to fix the ashtray which wouldn't stay in.  When you pushed it
in, it would click as if it was going to hold and then spring out again.  I
found that there was a small roller held in place by a spring.  the spring was
not holding it firmly enough which allowed it to spring back (opening the
ashtray).  All that was required was a little reinforcement of the spring which
I did with a piece of wire wrapped around the mechanism at right angles to the
spring.

So I now have the head unit in place in a nice fully functioning dash.  Next
step is to install the CD changer and run the cables to it.  I am hoping to get
these to the boot (trunk) under the back seat.

I decided not to change the speakers as the current ones are rivetted in and
they seem to be reasonable quality.   And also the speakers I have are a set of
six - with separate tweeters at the front.  I cannot see how I would install
them without modifying/mutilating the car.  Though in my owners manual there
seems to have been an option of six speakers where tweeters were fitted in the
doors just in front of the door handles - has anyone seen this?

Kerry.

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