Anyone upgrade the door speakers?
I recently purchased a set of upgrade speakers for my '09 Passion from SmartMadness. I bought the Kicker SD650 set as they are recommended for the car. However, ran into probs with the removal of orig speakers & wondering if anyone had same issues and what they did?
In trying to remove factory grille on driver side, I unintentionally broke clips. I now see that speakers seem to be mounted to door trim from backside of trim panel? Given this, have stopped as is getting outside my comfort zone to try remove door trim. I hate to have to go back to dealer for install if don't need to?
Has anyone replaced their door speakers themselves? If so, how did you do it?
Doug
In trying to remove factory grille on driver side, I unintentionally broke clips. I now see that speakers seem to be mounted to door trim from backside of trim panel? Given this, have stopped as is getting outside my comfort zone to try remove door trim. I hate to have to go back to dealer for install if don't need to?
Has anyone replaced their door speakers themselves? If so, how did you do it?
Doug
Views: 8
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Robert Ricewasser on -
From what I have read, you have to remove the outer door panel to replace the speakers. Detailed instructions can be found on www.smartcarofamerica.com or go to www.evilution.com.
-
Permalink Reply by clicker on -
Also go over to www.evilution.uk
f smarts.Kane is the "guru" of smart
-
Permalink Reply by SATO on -
Comfort zone is a flying target at best...
Do some reading at the www.evilution.com.uk site. It will quickly make your comfort zone swing the right way. The procedure may look daunting but is quite well described and easy enough that a "caveman" can do it.... well if the cave man has internet and a couple of screw drivers..... You will have to take the outside panel off the door and move the moisture barrier out of the way to remove the OEM speakers. somehow I doubt the Kickers are the same size so those will need to be put in from the inside (interior door panel) this gives you more rear clearance for the most probably larger magnet on the Kickers and also you will be able to remove those without doing the outer door panel dismantling again.
Read and RE-read until you can visualize the process.. or print it out if you have C.R.S. (Cant Remember S#!t)
-
Permalink Reply by Tom Owens on -
um I believe the site is www.evilution.co.uk.
-
Permalink Reply by SMART MADNESS - Boris on -
Doug,
Give our shop a call and we can assist you over the phone. Our direct number is 562-961-6800.
-
Permalink Reply by SATO on
-
Tom, you are right, I was doing it from memory and... you know how THAT goes.... Between that website and Boris, Doug is in great hands
Tom Owens said:um I believe the site is www.evilution.co.uk.
-
Permalink Reply by Doug Czop on -
Thanks to everyone who responded to me. I got the info I needed from the recommended sites & then some. Here's what happened.
Being a bit uncertain, I called & talked to the service guy at my Smart Center about the install and he said he'd do it for a reasonable cost. Since I didn't own the metric Torx driver and wanted to get it done sooner than I could work on it (weekends only), I wimped out and had job done by them. However, turned out to be a Smart move (no pun intended) as one of the speakers out of the box turned out to be damaged (split mylar cone) and Smart Center installed a comparable speaker I could use while I got the damaged one exchanged. They basically gave me the comparable speaker for no extra charge! They also soldered the new connections with the factory connectors and now can do the replacement through front of door panel w/o pulling exterior skin or having to mess around with the wiring. Had I done job myself, I'd be driving with only 1 speaker installed and still have to repeat process after getting the exchanged speaker several weeks from now?
Thanks again everyone.
Doug
-
Permalink Reply by toes on -
May I add: Aside from avoidance of additional problems (for you) it's a good thing to support your smartcenter by giving them a little work (and pay) in these tough times. I personally haven't touched any of the panel removal either, due to "comfort zone" issues. Putting in a replacement horn and aftermarket exhaust is as far as I went (all without removing any panels).
Doug Czop said:Thanks to everyone who responded to me. I got the info I needed from the recommended sites & then some. Here's what happened.
Being a bit uncertain, I called & talked to the service guy at my Smart Center about the install and he said he'd do it for a reasonable cost. Since I didn't own the metric Torx driver and wanted to get it done sooner than I could work on it (weekends only), I wimped out and had job done by them. However, turned out to be a Smart move (no pun intended) as one of the speakers out of the box turned out to be damaged (split mylar cone) and Smart Center installed a comparable speaker I could use while I got the damaged one exchanged. They basically gave me the comparable speaker for no extra charge! They also soldered the new connections with the factory connectors and now can do the replacement through front of door panel w/o pulling exterior skin or having to mess around with the wiring. Had I done job myself, I'd be driving with only 1 speaker installed and still have to repeat process after getting the exchanged speaker several weeks from now?
Thanks again everyone.
Doug
-
Permalink Reply by Fish on -
If the fee was small, it would totally make sense to take the smart to the smart dealer. I'm sure they could have the doors off and speakers changed out in no time at all. The second door always goes much faster than the first just because of being familiar with what needs to happen and having the correct tools in hand at the right time.
Once I had the doors off, I decided to use the aftermarket grills and go over the door panel. I like the look of the aftermarket grills and if I have a speaker blow, it will be very quick and easy to change them out. Going behind the doors, like the factory speakers, and using the factory grills is also a good option, and a bit more "stealthy".
-
Permalink Reply by Ryan on -
Yea... although i have to say that's one reason i like the speaker grills on the speakers i have. Aside from the Hertz emblem, which is at the bottom of the grill and hardly visible even if you have the door open, and even then you gotta get kinda close to read it.... the grills that came with my speakers look pretty much stock. Which isn't a bad thing considering they're like a $250 pair of component speakers.
Photos
© 2012 Created by izzysmart.
