nobletech

My CD changer just stopped working. The radio doesn't "see" it. (NO CD CHANGER) I've checked the easy and obvious, removed fuses to reset, connectors at CD player, etc. There is electrical activity at the changer during power up. The mechanism can be heard cycling.
Now I want to yank the radio out to check it. Has anyone ever removed their radio without the genuine MB "radio removal plates"? (MB part# P82.60-0001-06 see attached)If so, what did you use in their place to release the latching mechanism?