Repairing speakers

[Station]

The speakers in the rear c pillar of my MR2 are 3.5 inch which aren't a standard size. They're also really shallow, so a standard speaker with demagnetise on the metal behind and jut out, and look shite.

If I can't get a decent replacement I want to repair them.

The foam surrounds are shot, there's nothing there. Any quick repair is pointless as they sound hollow and thin.

Has anyone got a method of repairing these so they sound good again? You can get new foam repair bits, but not in 3.5. You can also get 3.5 speakers from some cars (Saab dashboards for example), but all the ones I've chanced on don't fit, but I'd give it a go if the price isn't at a 'premium'.

Have searched on instructables site and solutions are fairly bad.

[Partridge]

A musicy soundy shop near me used to sell speaker foam that you could cut to size - but it was bloody expensive.

 

But have a TOP TIP. When you insert the new foam, spray it with the stuff you spray your trainers with to stop them from stinking of sweat. It has the effect of repelling damp and prolonging the life of foam. I've put new speakers in the 800 and done that trick. They've been in long enough for me to tell if it works, but it had no ill effect.

[mat_the_cat]

$8.95 over in the US:

http://www.speakerworks.com/speaker_repair_kits_s/65.htm?searching=Y&sort=5&cat=65&show=150&page=1

[Dead_E23]

I had a dim recollection that foam could be repaired with lashings of PVA glue, but I went to look it up on YouTube I found this video of a mingebag repair involving bits cut from a t-shirt and spray glue.   

 

That was shot in America where t-shirts are everyday attire; flannelette pyjama and Stephens' School Glue would be suitable equivalents in the UK.

[Grundig]

Could a pair of speakers that are easier to obtain be fitted in another location in the car? ie door cards 

[Station]

I don't want to start cutting up the car though.

I'm going to try and get a big inner tube and replace the surround with that.

[KruJoe]

How about fitting a slightly smaller speaker in a home-made "mount" which fits in the original hole?

[Eddie Honda]

3.5" speakers aren't that rare.

 

How deep have you got to play with? (mm)

[dave21478]

How about fitting a slightly smaller speaker in a home-made "mount" which fits in the original hole?

 

^^ That.

 

Make a baffle out of MDF that bridges the original hole and has a hole for a standard speaker that fill fit.

Even if you need to use a smaller size, the solid MDF baffle will massively improve the sound.

 

 

If you repair the old ones, I would suggest inner tube rubber might be too stiff for the coil to flex and it would dampen the cone movements too much.

[wuvvum]

I'm disappointed that nobody has yet suggested hammering a 4" speaker over the existing one.  Luxobarges is well and truly gone.

[steveo3002]

mk2 golf dash speakers , mk2f polo speakers are 3.5