I'm trying to replace the center A/C (HVAC) vent. To accomplish this the center console bezel must be removed. One of the 2 previous owners installed a Alpine CDE-9881 stereo HU, so the factory service manual for removal of the panel/bezel is useful as a reference but doesn't address this specific stereo install. I can get the stereo to slide out of the mounting sleeve. The installer spliced the CDE-9881 unit into the existing car plug instead of using an adapter harness. Not really an issue as the HU can be slid to one side or the other. The bezel can be released at the top and is unclipped from the ganges switches at the bottom but seems to get hung up in the middle near the HU mounting sleeve. Anyone remove one of these sleeves or something similar ?? What's it involve ? This got 0 responces over in the Interior section, was hoping for better luck here.
2005 Ragtop

 

There are probably little bits of sheet metal bent OUT to catch the surrounding bezel, just like the ends. It SHOULD slip out easily as soon as those tabs are retracted.

 

Max,
First many thanks for the reply !!! Yeah, that's what I thought as well. Then I downloaded the CDE-9881 owners manual. For the sleve installatioin it shows a pair of brackets that appear to get screwed into the car > then the sleeve is secured to the brackets ??!@!# In addition to the sleeve getting grounded to a suitable grounded point via a lanyard/cable. With the garage averaging 6-10 degrees warmer than an ambient temp here in the high desert of 106 (last week) and sweat pouring outta my face my focus and motivation weren't up to the task. Will take another look in EARLY am when it's only 85. Again thanks, hope you're right.