fixed the rattling sound from rear woofer for just a few bucks

[moonroof]

I was getting a rattling noise from my rear woofer in my 2000 Avalon XLS. The noise came when the audio had low frequencies (rumbling, drums, etc.). I opened up the speaker and noticed that the foam joining the diaphragm to the frame had come off at two places.

I glued the foam back to the frame using a glue I had lying around (bought from crafts store, it says on it that it remains flexible, if it matters) and covered the joint further using black liquid fabric just for good measure. The whole act is shown in the picture available on the following link.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1110301...Nm029qKubWLLA#

The rattling from the speaker seems to have completely disappeared!

Just wanted to share this DIY speaker repair with others.

[CTB727]

I also had rattling problems with my 99. I was planning on getting a piece of foam from Home Depot or something and gluing it around the edge that touches the glass. Guess I didn't have to. When I put the cover back on after doing my custom LED swap, the rattling seemed to go away.

[moonroof]

Yeah, I was thinking of ordering a repair kit I found from google searching. I took out the speaker to asses the damage and realized I should try patching up the damage myself.

I think one should first check for such foam damage if rattling is heard. I haven't ever done this kind of a repair before, but it seems there are only a few things that can go wrong with a speaker. As long as its coil is fine, it should be reparable with minimal cost.

[moonroof]

Folks, just wanted to bring this issue to a closure.

Unfortunately, my hack did not last long. I can hear the distortion at low frequencies again.

Next up, I am going to look for one of those kits with the circular membrane that is used to stick from the diaphragm to the metal frame.

When I do that (not sure when though), I will open another thread and post how it went.

[bobflood]

Originally Posted by moonroof

Folks, just wanted to bring this issue to a closure.

Unfortunately, my hack did not last long. I can hear the distortion at low frequencies again.

Next up, I am going to look for one of those kits with the circular membrane that is used to stick from the diaphragm to the metal frame.

When I do that (not sure when though), I will open another thread and post how it went.

If your next DIY fix doesn't work, there is a mail order place in Florida where you can send the speaker for repair. Info as follows:
6/28/10, 127,000; Repair rear speaker (JBL woofer; 3.7 ohm; 26W; 86160-AC180); $65.50; SimplySpeakers.com
http://www.simplyspeakers.com/search...=11&search.y=6

[avalonshoe]

refoam it yourself for 5 dolla, i did it years ago, somehow refoam kit prices go up but they allow you to put as much glue as you want.

[moonroof]

Originally Posted by moonroof

Folks, just wanted to bring this issue to a closure.

Unfortunately, my hack did not last long. I can hear the distortion at low frequencies again.

Next up, I am going to look for one of those kits with the circular membrane that is used to stick from the diaphragm to the metal frame.

When I do that (not sure when though), I will open another thread and post how it went.

Thought I would update you folks on the current status and my findings regarding this problem.

First, my "hack" I described above actually did work. I examined the speaker again a some days ago and noticed that where I had glued it back, it was still fine, but the foam had torn at other places now.

I had ordered a pair of foams for 8" speakers from ebay (for around $4.75 + postage = $7 or so). I refoamed my speaker earlier today and installed it back. Sounds a bit different at present. But as I understand it, after a little use as the new foam get more flexible, the sounds should come back to near the original. In any case, the sound cannot be worse than it was with damaged foam.

One final observation. The old foam was fine where it was glued to the surround of the speaker, but it had disintegrated where it was glued to the outer metal frame. That is also the place where the plastic bezel with a mesh in it is screwed on top of the speaker (for protection?). The pressure of that bezel probably seems to have helped damage the original foam.

Thanks.

[avalonshoe]

I used the typical refoam kits which are single ridged kits. The original foam that came with the JBL speakers are double ridged allowing more movement and stronger bass response. Too bad they don't sell those though.

[moonroof]

Originally Posted by avalonshoe

I used the typical refoam kits which are single ridged kits. The original foam that came with the JBL speakers are double ridged allowing more movement and stronger bass response. Too bad they don't sell those though.

What did difference have you perceived in the sound quality since the change, if there was any?

[avalonshoe]

bass reflex seems much better, but the doesnt hit as hard as it used to. I've refoamed quite a few kits since 2005. I wouldn't say that the single-ridged foam diminishes the woofer, but it changes its character slightly. I think more people prefer the faster reflex, i dont.

it's still a good low power woofer though.

[moonroof]

Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated.

Regards.