Foam removal???

[MMpridenjoy]

Today, I finally got to getting the new speakers in. They sound unbelievable! I has a question for someone that might have an answer. After taking out the drivers side rear speaker, I was able to reach in there to feel for this "foam". Above the sub was a piece of foam, about 1 inch thick. However, when I tried to pull at this piece of foam (black or dark gray) I seemed to just be a "ring" of foam. I was under the impression it was flat and solid? Maybe blue or something? I left this "ring of foam" in place and thought first to come here! Anyone with a possible answer as to whether to take this piece out or leave it in, please help! Thanks.

[Patrick]

I havent had the time to check. I am going to to due a a complete check soon. I am planning to replace my speakers too. When I do I will look into this. Stero is my first priorority. Killer sound system First. Then other stuff. Sorry to carry on with no help. Did you replace the subs too?? I like base and That trunk rattle thing is bothering me to know end!!!!!!!! I will start their first. Ideas?? Dyno mat?? Sorry to answer your prob with another. Patrick

[Murader03]

Originally posted by MMpridenjoy
Today, I finally got to getting the new speakers in. They sound unbelievable! I has a question for someone that might have an answer. After taking out the drivers side rear speaker, I was able to reach in there to feel for this "foam". Above the sub was a piece of foam, about 1 inch thick. However, when I tried to pull at this piece of foam (black or dark gray) I seemed to just be a "ring" of foam. I was under the impression it was flat and solid? Maybe blue or something? I left this "ring of foam" in place and thought first to come here! Anyone with a possible answer as to whether to take this piece out or leave it in, please help! Thanks.

If you do a search on sub-woofer, you should find plenty of info. The foam piece over the sub needs to be removed. It is perferated so it should come out easily. DO NOT remove the hard plastic cover over the sub. It protects the speaker form dust and dirt.....The foam piece is actually part of the sound deadening under the package tray.

[martyo]

There are a couple of issues with the sub.

First, you need to check and see if the cut out from the package tray was removed. Without the removal of this part, you will barely get any sub output at all. It is easy to tell if this was done by the factory or not because this problem (if it exists) is ABOVE the sub. Someone posted a detailed explanation of how to remove this (just use the "search" feature to find it.

Next, there is a piece of foam that looks like scotch brite (gray in color) that sits just inside of the sub, but is not physically connected to the sub. Some people here believe that that piece of scotch brite is to protect the speaker from dirt, etc. Other people (like me) removed the scotch brite material with very good results (so far). After I removed the scotch brite, the bass really opened up. You can reach this piece from the driver's side speaker (I found it easiest to do AFTER the driver's side speaker was completely removed, as it gave me a little more room to wiggle my hand in). Or, if you want the sub can be dropped via the trunk. Remove the four (4) 12mm bolts around the sub enclosure (the plastic box to the left of the spare). The entire sub enclosure will drop down and you will have ready access to remove (or replace) the scotch brite.

Let me know if you have any additional questions.

The speaker swap and the scotch brite removal are well worth the time, effort and money.

[MMpridenjoy]

Thanks guys. Just wasn't sure what I was looking at. I am assuming I will take this piece out. It sounds like people have just taken out any foam they see under there.

[joflewbyu2]

martyo, by any chance did you take a picture of the sub after you dropped it down. i removed my foam from the top method but even thou i am pleased - i still want more bass. was actually thinking of replacing the 6 3/4" sub with the rochford fosgate 6 3/4 sub from crutchfield for $79. has anyone done this yet? results?

[MMpridenjoy]

Would be interested in hearing some follow-ups on your Rockford install when finished.

[Pantherman]

MMpridenjoy, just "taking out any foam they see under there" is probably not a good idea. The passenger compartment is very well sealed and deadened to keep noise out. The luggage compartment is much less so. The foam ring you described in your first post is probably just a soft gasket to keep trunk noise away from your ears--and allow you to actually hear the music.

[martyo]

Pantherman is correct, the outer foam ring stays because it acts as a gasket and does not obstruct the sub and the bass output. We are talking about removing the foam from the package tray and the scotch brite-like foam in the center of the sub.

Jo: I have pictures (that I did not take) and can not post> however, PM me and I may be able to help you out.....

[Murader03]

Originally posted by martyo
Pantherman is correct, the outer foam ring stays because it acts as a gasket and does not obstruct the sub and the bass output. We are talking about removing the foam from the package tray and the scotch brite-like foam in the center of the sub.

Jo: I have pictures (that I did not take) and can not post> however, PM me and I may be able to help you out.....

Whoa! Somebody smach this boy!:lol: "DO NOT REMOVE THE SCOTCH BRITE_LIKE FOAM" from the top of the sub. It's there to keep dirt and debris from falling onto the speaker and rattleing around. It stays! The faom from the material directly under the package tray is what need to be removed.......

:shot:

[martyo]

Murader while given the proper setting (say a blond female, 5' 8" or so), I would mind being smacked around, I don't think I get beat down for the advice that I gave.

There is an abundance of advice on this site regarding the sub and, as I have previously posted, it is a personal choice as to whether to remove the foam, I think it should be removed. First, if you look at the way the sub installation is designed, there is little, if any opportunity for dirt (other than perhaps poor musical choice)to find its way into the sub. Second if you have heard the "before" and "after" results, you might agree with my approach. Third, any of the after-market subs will not have the scotch brite in the first place. Finally, given the manner in which the scoth brite is installed and removed, it can always be replaced (mine is in a baggie, in a box along with other parts that have been removed (speakers, lug nuts, 'stat' plugs, gears, driveshaft, badges, etc.). Finally, Crutchfield, a relatively popular after market parts place says to remove it and they have a fair amount of experience in the car audio arena.

Look at the other posts on this site (not just in this thread) and I believe you will see that a number of other owners will agree with me. But, the choice is yours. You have to ask yourself, do you want arse kickin bass or dontcha? Well, what's it gonna be??

What ever you do, Rock on.

[Murader03]

Stanley:

Cool down! I wasn't beating you down. I was making some fun with your comment. No offense intended by any means. BB's are hard to portray the jest that was meant by the post, that's why the smiley was put in, it stands for lol. I'm sorry for any unintended harm that may have come from the post as it surely wasn't meant that way!

Bob:bounce: :bounce: :bows:

[martyo]

Like I said, no offense taken. I know that we can swap ideas here, disagree with one another and still sit down and eat and drink together. That's what makes this place great!!

[WolfeBros]

I'm with Stanleyk......errrr......Marty O ?........removing that scotch brite type foam is no big deal. Y'all ask for solutions and then argue with the answers. The great thing is.......its an option for you to consider.
Don't like it ....don't do it. The ones that have tried some of these things that like the result.... pass them on here. Heck there are no guarantees......even State Farm has a disclaimer now saying they won't repair your car if it gets nuked !! LOL :flamer:

[Murader03]

Martyo....Thanks again for the site. Here's one for you. Don't ask where I got it cause I don't know, but I got it on my hard drive anyway.