STONES SOUND STUDIO

CAR SPEAKERS HOW TO INSTALL

Standard Car Factory or Replacement Speakers
Installing new speakers is the single most cost-effective improvement you can make to your vehicle's audio/video system. Not only are aftermarket speakers relatively inexpensive, they are typically not difficult to install.

What  Tools do I need  to complete the job
 Each car presents its own specific type of installation issues, varying on factory speaker locations, mounting depth and height, and the vehicle's factory wiring. Many installations are straightforward — a screwdriver might be all that you require to complete the job. Other installations can be more involved, particularly if you're installing component speakers. I recommend a qualified car installer if you have any doubt's about your wiring knowledge  and   handy man skills with metal plastics and timber composites

The tools  
  • Screwdrivers  Phillips, stubby Phillips, flat-blade,  magnetic or offset shaft screwdrivers for 45 or 90degs corners
  • Torx screw driver and   bits
  • Drill battery  with screwdriver and philips bits
  • Metal nibbling tool
  • Allen Key  wrench set 
  • Metric /imperial Socket set and spanners
  • Side cutters
  • Pliers
  • Wire cable stripping tool
  • Soldering iron and solder
  • Crimping tool and utilux connectors
  • Panel removal tool
  • Retaining clip remover  for the door handle removal (or a screwdriver covered with a cloth  )
  • Round and square files 
  • Electrical tape
  • Stanley blade  knife
General Tips
Every car is different  Here are a few general tips to keep in mind as you plan your car  speaker installation.

 Installation  Hints

Fitting custom speakers requires drilling new screw holes, cutting a small area of metal or plastic  or filing cardboard or plastic to make room for a speaker that is larger than the factory opening in the door panels dash board or rear parcel shelf

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CAR Component speaker systems
Include separate woofers, tweeters, and crossovers. The component woofers will install in your factory speaker locations, but the tweeters usually require custom installation. This typically involves drilling holes in the door panels or dash, depending on where you choose to mount the tweeters.

Replacing dash speakers
Most dash speakers are easily replaced by removing the grilles, which are held down by screws or friction fittings. You might need to use a 90-degree (offset) screwdriver to get at the screws near the windshield.

If the grille is held in place by friction fittings, carefully pry it up. To avoid scratching or cracking the surrounding dash as you do this, it's a good idea to put something broad and flat (like a putty knife) underneath whatever you're using to pry up the grille.

If the application of slight pressure is not enough to remove the grille, proceed cautiously. In some cases the grille is secured from below by screws, or by plastic studs which can break with excessive force. In such cases, the entire dash panel may need to be removed.

Remove the old speakers, making sure to note the polarity of each terminal. (The speaker's positive terminal is the larger of the two, and usually is marked with a "+" or a red colored dot.) Use your wiring harness to attach the new speaker, or solder or crimp the connections as your installation requires.

 

  Russell's Hints on Car speaker  installation  to be continued....................
"wow man whys that siren going  and the  light show on the instrument panel  happening   shiz  I forgot to,,,,,,,,,

  • Check that you have not disturbed  any  door  alarm sensors  or  the electric window wiring harness  check that the speaker magnet and speaker frame fits  into the available space in the door
  • If you go under or enter into the front dash board instrument panel area I recommend a professional car installer do the job for you as this is cheaper than the cost an Auto electrician repair to a vehicle that will not start run or you have lost the head lights blinkers and instruments. If have the skills in fixing  modern car computer electrics then go right ahead .
  • Check if mounting  Coaxial type  speakers that the  protection grill does not interfere with the centre mounted tweeter unit before reassembly of the door skin panel
  • Don't use electrical tape to insulate the wire connections.
  •  Heat shrink tubing is a good insulator  can provide a secure and  reasonable water tight seal around and wires and cables
  • Check that the door  electric window  or  manual window wind  up/down mechanism  system works and  does not  interfere the new speaker magnet  speaker frame or new  mounting screws
  • If you are doing any electric welding disconnect the battery terminals first but read the "car owners  manual" first or you may not be able to  start engine  or use the electrical controls or the factory alarm system may lock you out!! .
  • Removing the battery can change the car computer system control factory settings for the engine management and alarms.


Replacing door speakers
In many cars, door speakers are the easiest to replace. In many newer cars, manufacturers have notched a slot into the edge of the grille. All you have to do is take a screwdriver, pop out the grille, and unmount the factory speaker.

Some grilles are mounted by screws or friction fittings, and require you to remove the screws or pry the grille to remove the speaker. There are three basic steps to replacing a door speaker in a vehicle like this.

Step 1. Remove the grille and factory speaker. Be gentle with the speaker, since it probably is attached to a wiring harness and you might want to reinstall the factory speakers if you sell the car later. Some manufacturers also use a sealant or foam when they first mount the speaker — you might need to cut through that material with a utility knife.
Step 2.Unplug the factory wiring harness, and attach the Crutchfield wiring harness to your new speaker's terminals, again making sure that the polarity is correct. With the wiring harness connected to your new speaker, simply plug the other end of the harness into the factory wiring harness. If a wiring harness is unavailable, you will need to solder or crimp the connections. Test the speaker before you put it into place.
Step 3. Check one last time to be sure that all of your wiring is secure, then screw the new speaker into place in the factory mounting and re-attach the factory grille.

If you have to remove the door panel
In some cars, you'll have to remove the door panels to get the factory speakers out.  Start with the window crank. Some are secured with a screw at the pivot, which is sometimes hidden by a piece of snap-on  plastic trim.


A panel tool can help you remove window cranks without damaging your vehicle's interior.
Most, however, are held in place by a spring clip. We carry an inexpensive retaining clip tool designed to remove this clip, but with a little more effort you can also do it using a small flat-head screwdriver. Depress the surrounding door panel, look behind the window crank, and rotate the handle until you see the spring clip. Then gently push it off with the screwdriver.

After removing the window crank, remove the armrest (usually secured with a few Phillips head screws) and any trim around the door handle. The only thing holding the door panel on now should be a half dozen friction fittings and possibly a few more screws.

With all the screws removed, start at a bottom corner and pull the panel straight out. Use our trim panel tool or a large flat head screwdriver. Once the corner is loose, work across the bottom of the door panel and up both sides, again being careful not to use too much force. With the bottom and sides loose, the panel should now be hanging by some trim that sticks down into the window well. Lift straight up and it should come free. Replace the speakers as described in the previous section.