Chances of removing door card without damaging seal?

M

MrPT

Veteran
 Bucks/Oxon
Site Supporter
Hi,

I'm considering dropping in a pair of 10cm midrange speakers into my doors (I have the basic 6 speaker setup). Don't really want to spend more than £50, total - otherwise I might as well look at 2/3-way upgrades plus amp.

Thing is, this £50 will turn into £90-100 if I damage the door membrane. No issues with leaking currently, so I know that the seals are good, and I'm usually a safe pair of hands with DIY jobs. I'll get hold of the correct tools etc to do it.

So, realistically, is it possible that if I take my time I can remove and refit the door cards without damaging the membrane? Who's done this successfully before?

Thanks.
 
There are how-to's on here MrPT - easy to do it without damaging the membrane, and you won't need to do anything to it if you are just working with the door card. You are MUCH more likely to break the plastic clip on the end of the door lock pin, so be careful - it is quite long and hangs down when the door card is off - if you shut the door it will get trapped. Oh, and it is really hard to get the door open If it is trapped. I know, I did it... Now rattles and I have not gotten round to getting a new one :headbang: :oops:

Also, make sure you take the triangular tweeter housing off before taking the door card off, or you will put enough pressure on it when taking the card off to break the clips holding it in. Yes, you guessed it, I did that too. Though I did manage to get a working and complete replacement from a breaker. Please learn from my incompetence :P

Finally, read the guides and don't be scared of applying the force required to get the card off - best to get the bottom off first then lever the top off, but it needs a good bit of force. You can get new clips for the bottom from a dealer for pennies if you break any. I didn't break any - they were already broken :D
 
LOL, awesome post Bing.

As he says, just removing the door card will not really effect the membrane. The only thing you may find is that the interior door opening handle has a putty around it but you can just squash this back into place.

How are you planning to wire the speaker in anyway?Off of the tweeter? I'd like to do the same.
 
Always happy to help people not make the mistakes I have. I break something else every time I try to fix something - should be called Bing's Law :D

When I took my door card off the wiring for a speaker was already there even though I have no speakers - I think it is one of those things that is just on the loom whether or not you have the upgraded hi-fi's ? It was poking out the side of the membrane. Not sure if you need will need an amp if you don't have them already though ?
 
Oh, and the membrane is held on with black sticky stuff which can be peeled / cut and resealed with pressure, if you do need to get behind it. Though I used some gaffer tape too just to be safe.
 
Hmmmm. Is it behind the membrane perhaps ? Also, I have a facelift, as does MrTP, so I reckon the odds that it is there are better. Or else some fecker has nicked my speakers :x
 
No there's definitely none on mine mate, I'm going to look at running some, maybe.

I think it's probably a facelift thing, a lot of things seem to be.
 
Well, don't be glum - you will have the cruise loom in place even if you don't have the stalk fitted. They removed it on non-cruise enabled cars after the facelift, and it's a PITA (with my level of technical competence) to fit :(
 
RJS-Z4 said:
LOL, awesome post Bing.

As he says, just removing the door card will not really effect the membrane. The only thing you may find is that the interior door opening handle has a putty around it but you can just squash this back into place.

How are you planning to wire the speaker in anyway?Off of the tweeter? I'd like to do the same.
Click to expand...

You can disconect the cable, probably 2-3 second job to do it :D

Sent from my LT18i using Tapatalk 2
 
Cheers guys - reassuring.

Bing - good tip re. the door lock and interesting point re. the wiring loom. I'd be curious to know exactly what the other end is wired into, and how.

gingertosser said:
this is what you need mate http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djgcv-VpCW 8
darren
Click to expand...

That video - which is excellent - is basically why I made this thread. He makes it seem so easy! On the other, Ye Olde Zed Four Forums Search is saying that lots of people have door seal issues, so I just wanted to double check.

RJS-Z4 said:
How are you planning to wire the speaker in anyway?Off of the tweeter? I'd like to do the same.
Click to expand...

Yeah, if the wiring isn't there already.
 
Could you take some pics along the way? I'd like to see what's under the grille and if you have to make any mods!
 
Yep, of course. Aiming for the bank holiday weekend for this and hopefully a pair of new stainless tips from the monkey man. Ditching the runflats tomorrow too - exciting times. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom