Speaker Grille Removal - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rcounts · #1 07-30-2008, 11:43 PM

What is the trick to removing the ones on top of the dash? I just got my Coverlay delivered today, and I did a "test fit".

I was able to remove the screw in each of the speaker grilles and get the edge of the cover tucked in under them, but I'm gonna have to remove and reinstall it with the adhesive, and I'd like to take the speaker grilles completely out to do it.

So how do you get them completely out?

compress ignite · #2 07-31-2008, 12:22 AM

See instructions below:

New speakers are a good upgrade.

rcounts · #3 07-31-2008, 12:47 AM

Well, I was able to get the screw out, lift it up and disengage the little "hook" that is on the rear edge, (steps 1 & 2) but I couldn't get the front edge to unhook (step 3). I'll have to give it another try tomorrow.

BTW, I've seen people refer to the molded plastic dash covers as looking "horrid" and "ugly". I don't know if maybe the difference is the brand, or a poor installation, or if maybe they had unrealistic expectations, or what.

I think it looks pretty good. Not as good as a perfect original dash, or a $1200 OEM replacement, or even a $500 reproduction, but for $120 delivered right to my door I think that once it is glued down it will look damned good.

winmutt · #4 07-31-2008, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compress ignite

New speakers are a good upgrade.

Amazingly enough my wifes car (84 TD) has pretty decent speakers. The stock spiders are intact and with the stock radio, the music is nice and has good tempo in classical bass, something I would expect out of a German radio.

H-townbenzoboy · #5 07-31-2008, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

Amazingly enough my wifes car (84 TD) has pretty decent speakers. The stock spiders are intact and with the stock radio, the music is nice and has good tempo in classical bass, something I would expect out of a German radio.

The old Beckers and stock speakers really shine when playing classical music and music from the period the car was made. Modern music? In my experiences, newer production quality music has richer and fuller sound output when current technology radios and speakers are used. Older music fares about just as well as it would with the old Becker.

winmutt · #6 07-31-2008, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H-townbenzoboy

The old Beckers and stock speakers really shine when playing classical music and music from the period the car was made. Modern music? In my experiences, newer production quality music has richer and fuller sound output when current technology radios and speakers are used. Older music fares about just as well as it would with the old Becker.

I always test my speakers with classical first and last. Even with 2x15 2x12 2x10 and a variety of other speakers. I really enjoy playing classic in my friends new audio setup to show them they missed a few things.

You are certainly correct, they are beautiful on a good FM radio station. Its ironic that I ugraded for HD Radio and MP3s which are both on par or worse than the good old Becker. Old Blau Punkt's are the same. Last time I was in Germany I drove the family Passat for a good 700km and it was the same way. Good clear FM with nice rich bass.

rcounts · #7 07-31-2008, 12:56 PM

Seems weird to hear how you guys are rhapsodizing about the great sound of the Becker and stock speakers. I'm not that impressed with mine. There seems to be only two bass settings on the stereo (pretty much punch the button to turn bass boost ON or OFF) and with the volume above about mid-point the bass sounds like it is over-driving the speakers - regardless of how the fader is set.

If it weren't for the fader control being integrated into the console, and wanting to keep it as stock as possible, I'd be looking for a better head unit ASAP.

Or is there something more to adjusting the bass that I'm missing here?

rcounts · #8 07-31-2008, 10:56 PM

Good info guys. With what you provided I was able to pop BOTH grilles out in under 10 minutes after work tonight. Thanks (again) for the help...

bustedbenz · #9 08-01-2008, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcounts

Seems weird to hear you guys are rhapsodizing about the great sound of the Becker and stock speakers. I'm not that impressed with mine. There seems to be only two bass settings on the stereo (pretty much punch the button to turn bass boost ON or OFF) and with the volume above about mid-point the bass sounds like it is over-driving the speakers - regardless of how the fader is set.

If it weren't for the fader control being integrated into the console, and wanting to keep it as stock as possible, I'd be looking for a better head unit ASAP.

Or is there something more to adjusting the bass that I'm missing here?

Don't know about adjusting but by the rather shoddy (Not proud, but it's in there now) use of wire splices, I wired my new Pioneer head unit straight into the old factory wiring (actually I let the monkeys at Circuit City do it) - keeping the fader intact. I just ignore the fader on the head unit itself, keep it set to neutral.

It's been working that way for quite a while, as the speakers gradually died around it (The originals) - the rears haven't worked for quite some time, and one of the fronts just recently died.

I've been daunted in my hunt for replacements by the fact that apparently you can't just walk into a shop and get drop-in fit replacements... I'm not keen on having to invent mounts and screw-holes and things just to get speakers to fit inside the car.

H-townbenzoboy · #10 08-01-2008, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcounts

Seems weird to hear you guys are rhapsodizing about the great sound of the Becker and stock speakers. I'm not that impressed with mine.

As me and winmutt said before, it all depends on what type of music you're listening to.

rcounts · #11 08-01-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H-townbenzoboy

As me and winmutt said before, it all depends on what type of music you're listening to.

I listen almost exclusively to Classic music.....

Classic ROCK music that is!

Pretty much anything that qualifies as rock from the mid 60's to mid 80's - A-Z. (Aerosmith-Zepplin). I even like some of the "soft" rock - but mostly what you would hear on your typical classic rock station...

rcounts · #12 08-03-2008, 01:14 AM

Well, I put the coverlay in today. I removed the steering wheel and instrument cluster first since I needed to repair the odo and swap out the wiper delay anyway and removing the steering wheel makes removing the cluster so much easier.

Anyway the coverlay went in with no issues. I followed the instructions to a "T" - except instead if just weighting it down with phone books I stuffed rolled up towels between the base of the windshield and the dash to really firmly hold it down while the glue sets. I also stuffed a rolled up washcloth between each of the doors and the ends of the dash cap to firmly hold them in place while the glue cures. Then I put a phone book on the flat part of the dash between the instrument cluster hood and the glovebox opening to hold it down.

There was no need to do anything to hold it in place on the instrument cluster hood, glovebox, vents area, etc. because it is so well molded in those areas. I'm giving it a full 24 hours for the glue to cure and then I'll put everything back together tomrrow afternoon. I expect it to turn out really nice.

While I had them out I replaced the cloth on the underside of the speaker grilles too, and I did the odometer repair while I have the cluster out. That went equally well. Now if I can just figure out what the heck is wrong with my tach...

rcounts · #13 08-04-2008, 01:06 AM

For anyone thinking about one of these dash covers, I highly recommend them. Not as nice as a $1200 OEM replacement, or even a $500 reproduction dash, but for $120 delivered they are pretty hard to beat.

Here are some pictures of how mine turned out. BTW, the color match is actually a little better than it looks in some of these pictures...

Cr from Texas · #14 08-04-2008, 01:54 AM

I just purchased one to do the same.
How did you handle the dash mounted temperature sensor? Mine is not precut. I'm even thinking of moving that sensor to another location (left of the glove box below the wood trim.

rcounts · #15 08-04-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cr from Texas

I just purchased one to do the same.
How did you handle the dash mounted temperature sensor? Mine is not precut. I'm even thinking of moving that sensor to another location (left of the glove box below the wood trim.

Well, I ordered mine from JC Whitney with the hole already there for the sensor.

If I had to make the hole, I think I'd start with measuring from fixed points with string. Get 3 strings and tie one to the steering wheel, one to the gearshift and one to the glovebox door brace on the passenger side. Pull all 3 tight together to where they intersect in the center of the sensor and mark them with a felt tip pen. Then knot them together at the marks.

Put the cover on, and pull the string into place where all 3 are tight and mark the spot where they are knotted together. That should be the center of your sensor hole. Drill it out with a small bit (1/4" or so) to start with and put th cover back on the dash and slowly enlarge the hole a little bit at a time with an Exacto knife, making any adustments as necessary until it is the right size and location.

That's my suggestion of how I'd do it.