I installed a cabled FM Modulator in my girlfriend's 2004 RX8 last night, and while researching how to take her dash apart I found several reverences to 'the invisible bolt' you have to remove to get the stereo out.

Well it wasn't until several hours later and stumbling around various links and forums that I actually managed to FIND this thing (Perhaps I'm retarded; it wouldn't be the first time that idea has been presented to me).

Anyway, while I was putting the radio back together, I managed to get a picture of this bolt, and I was going to post it here in hopes that it would help out other newbies who were having trouble locating it.

First, as a point of reference, I was using this guide during the process, and it is an excellent one--save this stupid bolt. Here is a picture from that guide of the area below the steering wheel to give you an idea of the general location of the bolt. He indicates the bolt is located 'somewhere in the yellow circle region'



Now, here is the picture I took that shows it's exact location.



The picture was taken with a slight downward angle. That brass bolt is 'the invisible bolt'. As you can see it is more to the right of the 'do not remove' bolts.

There is really no way to angle your head to be able to see the bolt, you really have to just feel around for it.

Note that the guide says it took both a long and a short extension to get a socket wrench to the bolt. I used a socket driver and had a much easier time getting it out. Also, don't take it all the way out with the tool. Just loosen it to the point where you can get it out with your fingers. You're much less prone to drop & lose it.

Hope this helps!

 

Thank you sm4k for your picture, really useful, next evening or after I want to spend to install 6CD changer, it came at last from Ebay, so I I won't spend time to look for this notorious bolt!

 

Amen! It's a bugger getting that bolt out. Forget about putting it back.

Happy Turkey day, Y'all.

Bob

 

Not really! It's a pc of cake once you find it. And no special tools, just an extension.

 

I did the same thing last Sunday, where did you place the FM Modulator? There was this metal part that worked out great. The FM Modulator also improves the reception of my Sirius receiver greatly.

 

i hated that bolt the first time

 

Here's the best picture of the mystery bolt:

 

HA! I had taken my HU out before to mess with the OEM NAV and the first time was a pain in the ***, however, after a certain event in which I took my car to the dealer they actually returned it to me without that bolt! needless to say I never had to worry about that damn thing afterwards. If you're like me and take things apart all the time (making improvements and such) I'd definitely leave it without the bolt.

 

most ppl just drop it at some point during the process so it really becomes invisible then

 

This is the device I installed. I pulled it out of my Celica and put it in her RX8.

My Celica had been broken into, so insurance paid for Circuit City to install the radio (in case it is not obvious, NEVER allow Circuit City to install the radio, they've had my Celica FIVE times and it is still not working correctly (but that's another matter). Anyway, they installed it in my car and hard-mounted the switch that unit comes with. I just cut the switch out and soldered the wires together so it is always 'on'. It fit pretty nicely into the space in the bottom of the head unit where the tape deck/mini disk player goes in the rx8. I zip-tied it in there as snugly as possible and just routed the wires carefully.

Edit: Damn I wish I'd have seen that second picture of the bolt before I got started, it would have been cake.

 

I just put my changer in...and there were no "hidden" bolts! HAHA!

 

Pictures from my install
https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...58&postcount=5

Picture of the bolt hole after I took it out....
http://img100.imageshack.us/my.php?i...2140wp2ug6.jpg

 

I just did the Auxmod install and spent 30 minutes trying to find the damn thing. Unfortunately, the DIY I printed had the bolt being to the right and above the double bolts. Also, nobody seems to mention it's several inches deeper than the double bolts. I found I needed the empty bolt hole as a leverage point for a Phillips screwdriver to break the unit free of the driver's side retaining clips.

 

i helped a friend install something today, was able to find it by looking around. just know its a 10 mm bolt, further in than the 2 bolts u see and cannot be seen from under. the picture mr. wiggles posted shows exactly what i looked through to finally find it. i did not have the metal bracket taken off though.

 

I was digging around on the internet last night and found a very well documented site on installing an ipod in the RX-8. RX-8 custom ipod installation. The pics and instructions are very good but no mention of the bolt to pull out the radio. I had my son pull out a 12 woofer that was in the trunk as well as a sirius radio and an ipod hook up with a harmon/kardan remote setup for the ipod.
I know some of you guys would want an infinity woofer in the back but I am likely to autocross this car and the only things i could use is a bluetooth set up for my phone and a nav system. so thanks for the info guys, the invisible bolt must have come out before the car got into my hands. This stuff is available if anyone wants to buy it.

 

Hi everyone

is there any way we could get mr wiggles "best picture" uploaded again.

Seems being an old thread the image isn't available. I'm having a real hard time trying to find this in a right hand drive 2008 model.

I have seen this and this
aswell as this but still i can't get the headunit to come out. Mine is an right hand drive(australian) 2008(series II)

Any help appreciated.

I have removed a 10mm bolt shown in the attached image.

Thankyou

 

hmmm I would imagine everything is just reversed in the RHD 8's. The bolt you have circled certainly looks like the correct one. You unbolted the two directly below the headunit too? If so, you sure you're just not pulling hard enough? It doesn't just slide out. It has several pressure clips that hold it in place that need to be forced outward.

 

Thankyou for the reply.
The clips?... How do I make them release. There's almost no room down the side(from the cabin) of headunit to to get a flat head screwdriver.

I have unbolted underneath head unit too. No luck yet

 

Do NOT use a flathead screwdriver for anything. You're sure to break/chip/mark up your dash.

The clips can't be "released" per se. They just snap in and out of place when the headunit is installed/uninstalled. Using your stronger hand, reach underneath and behind the headunit from the center. Grab ahold of the rear of the headunit and pull towards you. It takes a solid tug. The headunit will pop out. You'll then see the clips I'm talking about. 4 ... or maybe 6.... white clips.

 

Invisible bolt just spins and spins. Any idea how to get this b!tch out?

 

haha That can be tough. I've been in similar situations with other vehicles. Any chance you can reach it with your hand? Pull outward? While turning? I've even used mechanical fingers to grab the bolt head and pull outward while turning.

Other than that.... wow... super glue a dowel rod (or similar) to the bolt head? When cured, pull outward gently while spinning.

Needless to say..... do not reinstall.

 

Gonna try the mechanical fingers.

Yes I have been turning by hand... it sucks.

 

Thanks firebirdude! Got it out! I was using enough force as it turned out. Just needed to wiggle it some more. Problem now is it doesn't seem to work with my car. But that's a topic for another thread. Thanks again.

 

word of warning for anyone who messes with the radio. Make sure that you get that bolt under the steering wheel I thought I got it out but quickly found it was the wrong bolt. Long story short I ended up busting the chip that controls the ac unit and wound up without ac all summer. Got it replaced under my warrenty but it was a pain in the butt with all the countless trips to the dealer. oh and I still have no grom unit on my car after all this happened, im too scared to mess with the radio even though now I can properly take it out........scarred me for life