Rear door speakers - how to replace?

Post by **davecampbell** » 05 Feb 2006, 19:22

I've seen many posts on audio topics, speakers choices, how to remove the rear deck, etc., but all I want to know is:

To replace the rear door speakers, does one need to remove the door panel, or are there access points by simply removing the speaker grill?

I started to pull a little bit on the speaker grill, and it felt like it may come off, but I didn't want to go any further without experienced help.

I'd rather not remove the door panel unless necessary. Have had some door panel mishaps in the past.

I have replacement speakers with the conversion kit, from Crutchfield, but don't know the first step in accessing the actual speaker.

Thanks for any help.

1999 S70 GLT

bills '94 850 · Post by **bills '94 850** » 05 Feb 2006, 21:40

I removed the speaker panel cover only. It was easy to get to the speaker from there. Just be careful and you wont break any of the mounting bits.

bills '94 850 · Post by **bills '94 850** » 05 Feb 2006, 21:40

That was on an 850.

Post by **davecampbell** » 05 Feb 2006, 21:47

I understand the S70 to be a re-fashioned 850 so they may be similar.

Could you be more explicit on "be careful and you won't break any of the mounting bits"?

What are the 'mounting bits'?

Does the speaker grill essentially "pop off"?

Are there tabs that must be depressed in some strategic location around the round grill?

I can get my fingernail behind the grill and it begins to come forward and I can get my fingertips back there a bit, but I'm not sure what will happen if I keep pulling. Does it pop off, or do pieces of plastic start breaking?

It is currently a factory installation.

Thanks.

guy · Post by **guy** » 26 Oct 2007, 10:15

I have been wondering about this too. the rear door speakers have no sound coming out of them so I figured it's time to inspect. Can we simply pull off the speaker grill on the S70 models?

Larmor · Post by **Larmor** » 26 Oct 2007, 11:48

If it's like the 850s, it's easily popped off with a flat-bladed screwdriver. The cover is held in by a few plastic posts, no tabs or latches. The speaker itself is mounted with T25-head Torx screws.

JFO · Post by **JFO** » 26 Oct 2007, 22:19

I believe that unless you have an upgraded/optional sound system in the car then there are NO speakers in the doors...just the rear deck. I also noticed that there was no sound from these speakers in my 98S70 and removed the grill to check...no speaker there! I cracked it getting it off and I'm not sure they are meant to be removed.

Jim

mcp · Post by **mcp** » 26 Oct 2007, 22:21

Not all 850/S70's have rear door speakers, although the connections are there. Base models usually have six speakers, two dash, two front door, two rear shelf. Eight speaker systems add the two rear doors.

On my '96 850 the rear door speaker grills pull off without having to remove the door panel, then pop back on, so my son added speakers to the rear doors.

Post by **davecampbell** » 27 Oct 2007, 04:44

I sold my 99 S70 about 3 months ago, but I ended up using the full kit from Crutchfield, and to my recollection it was not just a pull-the-grill, take out a few screws like it was back in the 70s. As in 1970s.

It was quite a production, removing the door panel and what-not. But I was so glad I bought the conversion kit from Crutchfield - it included all the instructions on how to remove the door panels, where all the screws are, and also the details of replacing the actual speaker and using their spacers which are CRITICAL since the profile of the speaker I purchased is different from the factory speaker.

It actually took me a fairly long time, so I didn't even replace the other side - it wasn't shot. But the result was a slightly mismatched response profile that only I could notice.

My advice - get a new speaker that you like, but get the conversion kit from the vendor. I think most vendors require it, or include one as part of the package.