Dear Fellow Brickboarders,

May this find you well. I need to remove the Manual Climate Control Unit, to resolder connnections, and so to restore A/C to service.

Having removed the plastic fascia, I find four screws. I removed them. After that, the Climate Control Unit is held in by two metal tabs, which are attached to the housing below.

Apparently, the only way to get at the Climate Control Unit is to remove the radio. I have the right (passenger) side radio clip released. The left (driver) side absolutely will not release.

I do not want to have to break the plastic radio bezel to remove the radio, to be able to remove and to repair the climate control unit.

Here's my question: Are the two metal tabs at the bottom of the climate control unit necessary, given that the unit is secured by four screws? If I used a Dremel to cut those tabs, would the climate control unit come out, or is it otherwise screwed to the back of its housing? If cutting the tabs will enable me to remove the climate control unit, are those tabs necessary to hold it securely in place, once I've repaired or replaced it?

I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why the unit needs to be held in by two (heavy) metal tabs, in addition to four screws.

I have read the FAQs regarding in terms of radio removal. The driver's side clip will not release. I'd be less than candid if I did not express the view, that the designer of the radio housing had a few wires loose.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Yours faithfully,

spook