My sub has a Boo-Boo

[M3Racer]

Here's the deal. I open my trunk and proudly look at my 12" Diamond Audio subwoofer. But I see that the center area has a dent in it. Its a decent size, but nothing to big. I didn't want to play with it because I don't really know what I'm doing. So I have two questions:1) Is this hurting my sound performance at all? Is it possible for any problems to arise in the future?2) Is there any way to easily pull it out? I guess I would be willing to take the sub out of the box, but if I didn't have to, that'd make life easier.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Slipstream]

Are you talking about the dust cap in the center? I've played subs without them before with no major distortion. I've fixed a few before too. What I did was pull them off altogether gently, pop out the dent and then use a glue gun carefully to re-attach it. Let it set up before turning it on though.

[PoorManQ45]

IIRC you have the same diamond audio sub as me. The center isn't raised is it?

If it's not then you have the same one as me.

Basically that center part is what's called a dust cap. Its job is to prevent dust/dirt from getting on the voice coil.

As long as it's not actually punctured it should be fine

[Rex]

Dust caps can be undented using a vacuum cleaner with the hose attachment.

[PoorManQ45]

Ah, I've never thought of that Rex.

I wonder though, will that method work on a vented dust cap? MEaning one that allows air to flow through(for cooling purposes)?

[Florida240sx]

Happened to my friends brand new rockford punch.Dam florida heat. Suggest using a hair dryer and vaccum. Allow it to soften a little so it's more flexible. Florida heat loves to melt plastic.

[PoorManQ45]

hmm, never had that occur florida. Normally a foam surround will deteriorate alot faster though due to the extreme humidity combined with the heat.

I would recommend that you be VERY careful when using a hair dryer to soften the dustcap.

[M3Racer]

I took a shop-vac to it and it came right out. Thanks guys.

[DrNix]

Ive had this happen to varies speakers from physical damage. A piece of scotch tape pressed in and then pulled horizontally to the speakers should pull it back out. Dont pull it directly out, pull it at as flat of an angle as you can.

Ive even reconditioned metal tweeters this way with duct tape.

[EW]

Grilles are cheaper than woofers.

[xekushnr]

Grilles are cheaper than woofers.

and a dented dust cap is much better than a hole in the cone. if you keep stuff in your trunk with the sub, buy a grille or you will most likely be buying a new sub down the road.

[M3Racer]

I got a pretty nice grill after reading this. It's a nice flat black metal and ran me $15. One question though, do you think I'd need to pre-drill the box?

[Rex]

I got a pretty nice grill after reading this. It's a nice flat black metal and ran me $15. One question though, do you think I'd need to pre-drill the box?

Really depends on the size screws that came with the grill. If they're typical "drywall" size, I wouldn't bother, but if they're meatier, it may be easier to pre-drill.

How thick would you say they are?

[Slipstream]

Just be careful if you drill them in with a power drill. I've seen alot of people put force on the drill, slip and ram it through the speaker.

[M3Racer]

They're 1/8"

[N053B133D]

Just be careful if you drill them in with a power drill. I've seen alot of people put force on the drill, slip and ram it through the speaker.

Ya know that feeling of hurt you get in your chest when you see somebody else rack their nads or do something painful like that? that's what i got when i read that.