I'm replacing the heater lever assembly and am having a bit of trouble figuring out the removal of the radio. I've loosened the visible bolt at the top rear bracket but the radio seems to be no looser. Does it slide out the front without the removal of the knobs or is it held in by a bracket at the front also?Also what is the silver box on top of the transmission tunnel beneath the dash, it looks a bit radio oriented but am unsure.

Assuming yours is a 108 and that its like a 114?

You need to remove the knobs - they may have small set screws. Then remove the tone control on the volume shaft carefully. You may have to futz with it a bit. Remove the faceplate and you should see two screws with bolt heads that hold two brackets against the back of the dash opening. Loosen the bolts enough to drop the brackets down and then ease them out. The radio should now slide out.

Thank You!!!!! Your message was so timely that it came at the very next break in the job, so I was able to get the radio out and the levers. It is a 108, is the heater blower anywhere in the vicinity, my 74 Chiltons is very vague about the 280SE in general, especially 4.5 info. This board is awsome!