I searched and I searched and found no useful tips on how to do this, so I just decided to do it and hope for the best. Here is what I did (and the stereo works and no loose bits hanging out).
What you will need:
- a well lit area or a friend with a bright flashlight
- Mini socket set (or full size with the mini adapter). Specific sockets needed: 6.5mm, 7.5mm (I think - somewhere between 6 and 7.5mm - two different sizes).
- new single DIN radio with fit kit of your choice and adapter
How to: PULL FUSES first. These are located behind a door that is on the passenger side of the console - see user manual for location if you can't find it. Pull any and all fuses for radio and clock. Wait til clock turns off to begin taking off the dash.
Open Driver's door. In the side of the dash that you can see two circular holes about an inch across each. In each of these holes is a
7.5mm socket style screw. Remove. Pop off the section that these two screws hold on (there is a visible split in the dash immediately to the left of the gas gauge).Remove all the screws that are under the steering column. There are two that are sunken in tubelike things that hold the top cover of the column on. One is on the righthand side and the other is only reachable when you fold the height lever down. Release the pressure clips on the top piece by pulling vertically up. All screws on this housing are smaller, 6.5mm headed screws.
All that remains is to pull at the dash until all the pressure fasteners release.
Unscrew the existing radio, unplug it, and plug in your new radio. replace dash. replace fuses. done.
/2002 Saturn SL2 Automatic and now with Sony CDXGT100 stereo :)