Removing A/C Front and Rear Seats, Floor, and Door panel for Sound Dampening

[vballer22]

So I finally found the time to Tear apart the A/C and apply the B-Quiet material to the car. I honestly cannot believe how huge a difference this made. There's a patch of bricks down the street from my house I drive over every day, and after the install I didn't hear the bricks under the car at all, only felt them in the seat. The pics I took are of the floor, backseat, and sides. I figured the doors are easy enough and I didn't want to post more than 15 pics. If anyone wants to see though Ill try and take some.

This is a quick pic of how I ran the power cord to the amp in the trunk without drilling any holes. The 0ga wire runs all the way to the trunk where the amps are mounted. It comes right out the body panel by the door.

Start by opening the hood. Anytime we ever deal with power or airbags it is ABSOLUTELY vital we disconnect the negative battery terminal.

Use a 10mm socket to loosen the negative terminal and secure it away from the connection.

next, inside the car (this is the same on driver and passenger sides) pop off the covers to get to the bolts securing the seats. Each seat has four total bolts securing it down.

Use a large star bit to remove these bolts. If you're a skinny person, you may want to get someone with a bit of meat on their bones to help you here. They're in TIGHT.

remove the two behind the seat next.Now, there will be two connections underneath the seat for the airbags. once all four bolts are out, unplug these. The seat is now ready to remove (Careful it's heavy)

Next time anyone here runs the 1/4 mile, take your seat out now that you know how easy it is!

Next, remove the interior trim. Just pull, you won't break it. If you do, I literally costs less than three dollars to replace. I looked it up.

Now undo the bolt holding the belt. It's located under the cover in this pic.

Now, underneath the bench there are two clips to release the bench. Try using a flathead screwdriver and approach from above, then once the head is in the clip pull out.

Once the seat is off apply material to the exposed surfaces.Next, pull off the lower plastic panels in the back, these are the big ones that go all the way from the door to the rear deck and have the cupholders in them. you will want to lower the seatback to get some of the clips out. this part is tricky, but there is an "aha!" moment when you realize that once the top clips are out you just pull and it all comes out.

once the panel is off, a rubber cover is exposed. Just peel it off. try not to get it dirty or too bent, so we can just put it back later.

now the exterior panel is exposed. by this time the carpet is also loose and now its time to start applying all the material.

In progress...

and done. Be sure to cover the wheel well. this is a large source of road noise. heres something cool: once the side wall is done, get outside and start tapping somewhere near the tail light. Work your way towards the door and notice the huge difference in sound when you get to the parts that are done.

Continue apllying to the floor and exposed areas. then drive the car and notice the huge difference in road noise. Congratulations! to reinstall just go backwards with these steps.

[Canadian Coupe]

That's a lot of work.

Wow.

[SniperJoe]

I've been giving some thought to installing some of the Dynamat myself ... thanks for posting all the pics ... helps a lot.

Good job!

[mcheddadi]

great writeup! I might actually do this

(remove the seats lol)

[rjdmmfl1]

Good look baller, I'm doing mine this weekend!!! Did you have to use a hair dryer or heat gun, or did it just stick without it?

[LongBeachCoupe]

What a great writeup!

[vballer22]

Good look baller, I'm doing mine this weekend!!! Did you have to use a hair dryer or heat gun, or did it just stick without it?

I didn't need the heat gun. The roller definantly helped but theres really not a lot of places flat enough to use it except for the sides. however I would say use both for the trunk lid since it hangs upside down. I live in AZ and the other day when it got to 100 I opened up the trunk and half of it had fallen off due to the heat.

[vballer22]

Ill tell you one thing, the b-quiet is stickier than dynamat. I kinda feel like im missing fingerprints now.

[vballer22]

That's a lot of work.

Wow.

Actually, It really wasn't. I took my time and pictures along the way, even had a ladyfriend come visit (she left because I wouldn't stop talking about the car) and it only took a couple hours. Ive done this before though. Give it about 3 hours if you havnt done it before.

[stsxcrle]

Very nice, great write up. I will definitely be doing this soon.

This will help with the extra noise when on Bluetooth... Do you think it's worth applying to the ceiling or is it enough to do the floor, sides, and trunk? I know I get a good amount of wind noise from the moonroof.

Also, 50 sq ft is enough to do the floor, back seat, door panels, trunk and the body by the back seat? Did you have any left over material?
Modified by stsxcrle at 3:46 PM 4/18/2008

[rjdmmfl1]

Actually, It really wasn't. I took my time and pictures along the way, even had a ladyfriend come visit (she left because I wouldn't stop talking about the car) and it only took a couple hours. Ive done this before though. Give it about 3 hours if you havnt done it before.

Hey Baller, could you either post a link to your photobucket page, or post ALL of your pictures from the process? Thanks!

[maxentropy]

A+ Writeup!! GREAT PICS!

Thanks!

[johnny_d]

great write up, thanks!

[vballer22]

Hey Baller, could you either post a link to your photobucket page, or post ALL of your pictures from the process? Thanks!

Hey doc, I got a little lazy at the end and these are all the pics Ive got of this particular install. was there something specific you were looking for? I can take some pics of something if you want. shouldnt take more than a few minutes I would think. Everything really just pops or snaps off in this car. Honeslty, as much of this stuff anyone ever uses, all that plastic in the a/c is kind of a rip off, and is the reason for all the rattles and vibrations.

[rjdmmfl1]

Hey doc, I got a little lazy at the end and these are all the pics Ive got of this particular install. was there something specific you were looking for? I can take some pics of something if you want. shouldnt take more than a few minutes I would think. Everything really just pops or snaps off in this car. Honeslty, as much of this stuff anyone ever uses, all that plastic in the a/c is kind of a rip off, and is the reason for all the rattles and vibrations.

naww, don't trouble yourself, thank though.. as i stated. I'm about to tackle the doors tomorrow, and just wanted a lil heads up on any tricky parts to the disassembly

[vballer22]

Oh well the doors are easy, But Ill take pics for you because I nearly broke mine the first time around a couple months ago. Instructions are really confusing. be right back.

[vballer22]

Ok doors here we go, this part may need a sticky I get asked this all the time.

[IMG][/IMG]first pry off the cover inside the door handle, then unscrew the screw inside.

[IMG][/IMG]Now pry up the cover starting from the bottom.

[IMG][/IMG]Once unclipped undo the wire connection, then place the assembly aside.

[IMG][/IMG]Now pry off the trim peace, starting from the rear and moving foward.

[IMG][/IMG]Then pull it away...

[IMG][/IMG]Now pry out the door light and unclip it

Remove the screw under where the trim piece was

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]and the one where the window switch was

[IMG][/IMG]now begin prying off the actual door panel. There were a total of 3 screws removed.

[IMG][/IMG] shot of panel off. Thats hushmat on there. I tried it out for my local shop. Works as well as dynamat, but costs the same too. And not as available. B-quiet so far is the best for cost and effectiveness. Good luck!

[vballer22]

Very nice, great write up. I will definitely be doing this soon.

This will help with the extra noise when on Bluetooth... Do you think it's worth applying to the ceiling or is it enough to do the floor, sides, and trunk? I know I get a good amount of wind noise from the moonroof.

Also, 50 sq ft is enough to do the floor, back seat, door panels, trunk and the body by the back seat? Did you have any left over material?

Modified by stsxcrle at 3:46 PM 4/18/2008

Do the car in this order. 1. Doors2. trunk (if thats where the subs are)3. Floor/ sides of car4. Roof5. rear deck (because its really hard to access and remove)

50 sq feet should be enough for a complete covering of the trunk, doors, and some of the floor. I went two sheets thick in some places though, sometimes even three.

[gucio69]

vballer Since you're posting all these pics I don't suppose you would have a few that show how to get to the speakers in the rear deck?

[rjdmmfl1]

Vballer........ my man!!! (Frank Lucas style)

Thank again, did my doors today, can't say I notice a difference, but then again, its only the doors! Gonna try to tackle the trunk, floors, and rear seat/tire wall next weekend!

[stsxcrle]

Great stuff. Thanks for the info.

[vballer22]

vballer Since you're posting all these pics I don't suppose you would have a few that show how to get to the speakers in the rear deck?

I just had a really long day at work so I'll take u up on that later, but its actually super easy, just go in from below, not above. the factory 6x9's or bose speakers are mounted from underneath, and the screws go up into the deck, so its actually hanging there in a way. Just take off the trunk interior cover that has the two depressions where the speakers hang, then squeeze in there and unscrew them from there. Ill try and get some pics for ya soon, but I'm exhausted right now.

Vballer........ my man!!! (Frank Lucas style)

Thank again, did my doors today, can't say I notice a difference, but then again, its only the doors! Gonna try to tackle the trunk, floors, and rear seat/tire wall next weekend!

LOVE that movie! Thanks for the props doc, If you don't hear a difference yet wait til you do the side panels in the rear. Thats the biggest source by far Ive found. I'd love to compare pics! maybe I missed something. Also cant wait to see that KRAZY install youve got goin on.

[LongBeachCoupe]

vballer.. did you take out the middle console?

[johnny_d]

me too.... i'm planning to do the middle console bcuz the Stillen resonator is sitting right there. I want to reduce the vibration around that area too

[vballer22]

I didnt take out the console because I didnt have time. I thought it was gonna be pretty difficult but after examining it I started to see how. It looks to me like theres two screws between the seats on each side, you unclip and remove the rear trim panel of the console, and undo the front trim part by your feet. It appears everything just slides out, leaving I think the e-brake, console pocket and armrest, and I think the cupholders. Try it! Id love to see. Like I said I just never got around to it. Everything is just plastic clipped onto more plastic, so dont worry too much about breaking stuff.

[johnny_d]

it will probably be a while b4 i get to it, just too busy w/ every thing going at once

[rjdmmfl1]

it will probably be a while b4 i get to it, just too busy w/ every thing going at once

Yeah homie, concentrate on the wedding!!! prepare to get spanked when you loose your balls... lol...

[LongBeachCoupe]

hey so i decided to try and map out some of my installs before i bust out the wiring and the dremel...

Under the door liner, that "3 dollar part" yours shows white tubing... whereas mine had a electrical taped black tube... i didnt want to cut into it... is it ok?

[rjdmmfl1]

hey so i decided to try and map out some of my installs before i bust out the wiring and the dremel...

Under the door liner, that "3 dollar part" yours shows white tubing... whereas mine had a electrical taped black tube... i didnt want to cut into it... is it ok?

I'm not sure who you were asking Brian, my guess is you were addressing vballer... in any case, the part you're talking about, if its a tube, I wouldn't do any blind cutting, i.e., I wouldn't cut into anything that I wasn't sure was completely empty... could you take a pic to clarify

[LongBeachCoupe]

doc... i just ran to my car.. yanked out the piece... i remembered incorrectly lol... mine looks just like that... and the pieces are super easy to pop out and pop in... Well now atleast i dont need to worry about where to run the wire lol