$15 Subwoofer Repair - Mark Levinson
#1
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I got a little frustrated with the confusion over which sub would replace the original, without blowing up the amplifier. So I'm starting my own thread. I used this rebuild kit on an Avalon once before and it worked well...so here goes another try.
Speaker repair ring $15.
http://www.speakerworks.com/8_Inch_M...it_p/swk8m.htm
Procedure:
Remove seat bottoms (yank up)
Remove seat backs (Link to pics)
Remove 7 ea 12mm nuts. About 15 minutes worth of work.
Slide the rear shelf cover out of the way
Note: Put some towels on the bare seat frame and cover the armrest switches and wood trim. I got careless and let something scratch one of the armrest switches - darn it!
Unbolt the sub
Fix it (see fix-it notes in post #5 below)
Put it back in
Lean the seat-backs forward out of the way...
![Name: seatbacklaidfwdsm_zps1555738e.jpg
Views: 9150
Size: 82.4 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428478d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-seatbacklaidfwdsm_zps1555738e.jpg)
![Name: rearshelfremovedsm_zpsef159aaa.jpg
Views: 6166
Size: 79.5 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428479d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-rearshelfremovedsm_zpsef159aaa.jpg)
![Name: speakeraccesssm_zpse113254b.jpg
Views: 12632
Size: 89.4 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428480d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-speakeraccesssm_zpse113254b.jpg)
rotten speaker foam stuff...
![Name: peeloffoldfoamring_zpsc52f890e.jpg
Views: 5404
Size: 104.7 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428481d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-peeloffoldfoamring_zpsc52f890e.jpg)
removed all the old...
![Name: cleanedofffoam_zps608b697d.jpg
Views: 5500
Size: 94.5 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428482d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-cleanedofffoam_zps608b697d.jpg)
new foam stuff...
![Name: newfoamring_zps813f1ab9.jpg
Views: 5721
Size: 77.9 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428483d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-newfoamring_zps813f1ab9.jpg)
glue down the new stuff, whipped cream container was the right size to hold it in place overnight...
Speaker repair ring $15.
http://www.speakerworks.com/8_Inch_M...it_p/swk8m.htm
Procedure:
Remove seat bottoms (yank up)
Remove seat backs (Link to pics)
Remove 7 ea 12mm nuts. About 15 minutes worth of work.
Slide the rear shelf cover out of the way
Note: Put some towels on the bare seat frame and cover the armrest switches and wood trim. I got careless and let something scratch one of the armrest switches - darn it!
Unbolt the sub
Fix it (see fix-it notes in post #5 below)
Put it back in
Lean the seat-backs forward out of the way...
![Name: seatbacklaidfwdsm_zps1555738e.jpg
Views: 9150
Size: 82.4 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428478d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-seatbacklaidfwdsm_zps1555738e.jpg)
![Name: rearshelfremovedsm_zpsef159aaa.jpg
Views: 6166
Size: 79.5 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428479d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-rearshelfremovedsm_zpsef159aaa.jpg)
![Name: speakeraccesssm_zpse113254b.jpg
Views: 12632
Size: 89.4 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428480d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-speakeraccesssm_zpse113254b.jpg)
rotten speaker foam stuff...
![Name: peeloffoldfoamring_zpsc52f890e.jpg
Views: 5404
Size: 104.7 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428481d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-peeloffoldfoamring_zpsc52f890e.jpg)
removed all the old...
![Name: cleanedofffoam_zps608b697d.jpg
Views: 5500
Size: 94.5 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428482d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-cleanedofffoam_zps608b697d.jpg)
new foam stuff...
![Name: newfoamring_zps813f1ab9.jpg
Views: 5721
Size: 77.9 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428483d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-newfoamring_zps813f1ab9.jpg)
glue down the new stuff, whipped cream container was the right size to hold it in place overnight...
![Name: weightdownringforglue_zpsaf3025a5.jpg
Views: 5343
Size: 59.9 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428484d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-weightdownringforglue_zpsaf3025a5.jpg)
Last edited by cyclehead; 05-26-13 at 08:09 PM.
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Thanks for the instructions.
The sub on my 04 LS430 was replaced once already but I'm afraid it'll go again in a few years, and this will be much cheaper if it works out well.
The sub on my 04 LS430 was replaced once already but I'm afraid it'll go again in a few years, and this will be much cheaper if it works out well.
#3
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I had mine done 3 years ago with the refoaming and seat removal. I had someone come to my house and do it. The seat removal was a royal pain. I too did not want any issues with the amp failing with an aftermarket speaker. It's been working fine since and I like to blast my music!
Last edited by Bocatrip; 03-12-14 at 10:32 PM.
#5
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I reinstalled the repaired speaker this afternoon. Literally 10 minutes to button everything back together. It's only 7 nuts. You can do it. Everything worked great. No more buzzing subwoofer.
Notes:
Glue the repair foam ring to the paper cone first. Let it cure overnight with a little weight on it. The cool whip container was just the right size. The outer flange of the foam ring can be glued and assembled right before you put the speaker back in the car. The plastic backing ring clamps the foam ring outer flange, so there's no need to wait on the glue to dry. I imagine you could just skip the glue, but I ran a thin bead around it anyway (both sides).
Instructions said to be extra careful getting the paper cone centered. It was very simple to accomplish, just don't glue the ring on crooked and put a little weight centered on the cool whip container. The outer ring is easy to keep centered.
New foam ring, the glue dried overnight, reassembled and ready to reinstall...![Name: Repaircompletesm_zps7761092c.jpg
Views: 5125
Size: 123.6 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428476d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-repaircompletesm_zps7761092c.jpg)
Footnote - the "repair kit" comes with a little brush and a tube of elmer's glue.
![Name: Elmersglueandbrushincluded_zpsf8952e33.jpg
Views: 4996
Size: 93.3 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428477d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-elmersglueandbrushincluded_zpsf8952e33.jpg)
Notes:
Glue the repair foam ring to the paper cone first. Let it cure overnight with a little weight on it. The cool whip container was just the right size. The outer flange of the foam ring can be glued and assembled right before you put the speaker back in the car. The plastic backing ring clamps the foam ring outer flange, so there's no need to wait on the glue to dry. I imagine you could just skip the glue, but I ran a thin bead around it anyway (both sides).
Instructions said to be extra careful getting the paper cone centered. It was very simple to accomplish, just don't glue the ring on crooked and put a little weight centered on the cool whip container. The outer ring is easy to keep centered.
New foam ring, the glue dried overnight, reassembled and ready to reinstall...
![Name: Repaircompletesm_zps7761092c.jpg
Views: 5125
Size: 123.6 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428476d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-repaircompletesm_zps7761092c.jpg)
Footnote - the "repair kit" comes with a little brush and a tube of elmer's glue.
![Name: Elmersglueandbrushincluded_zpsf8952e33.jpg
Views: 4996
Size: 93.3 KB](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/attachments/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/428477d1501339175-15-subwoofer-repair-mark-levinson-elmersglueandbrushincluded_zpsf8952e33.jpg)
Last edited by cyclehead; 05-26-13 at 08:13 PM.
#6
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I had mine done 3 years ago with the refoaming and seat removal. I had someone come to my house and do it. The seat removal was a royal pain. I too did not want any issues with the amp failing with an aftermarket speaker. It's been working fine since and I like to blast my music!
#7
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/\ I was gonna say if you're really using Elmer's glue it's probably going to blow again.
Looks like it could be a permanent fix with the proper adhesive. Elmer's glue is for kindergarten projects.
Looks like it could be a permanent fix with the proper adhesive. Elmer's glue is for kindergarten projects.
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#8
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I would try the Liquid Electrical Tape, my understanding is that speaker repair shops basically use the same formula for repairs.
I used it on mine by just brushing around the perimeter, I didn't have a repair kit, and I would say it's a 90% fix. Only if I really crank it up and try to make it rattle is it an issue. For 99% of normal listening, you will no longer hear an issue.
![](http://www.micro-tools.com/store/images/items/large/cf11-f.jpg)
I'm surprised they give you Elmer's Glue with the repair kit. I would think you would need a glue with more elasticity for something like a subwoofer that's constantly bouncing.
I used it on mine by just brushing around the perimeter, I didn't have a repair kit, and I would say it's a 90% fix. Only if I really crank it up and try to make it rattle is it an issue. For 99% of normal listening, you will no longer hear an issue.
![](http://www.micro-tools.com/store/images/items/large/cf11-f.jpg)
I'm surprised they give you Elmer's Glue with the repair kit. I would think you would need a glue with more elasticity for something like a subwoofer that's constantly bouncing.
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. Yes this is a possibility. I replaced my sub (after numerous attempts at the glue fix and one refoam). I purchased my oem from eBay for $295 which was a good price at the time. I don't blast my music and am aware that these are cheaply made speakers. I don't want to shell out any more money on the sub. This was years ago. The angle of the rear sub and the sun also plays a part on it's deteriorating. Poor design but the only one available unless replacing the entire system.
Last edited by Bocatrip; 08-20-17 at 10:15 AM.
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http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-8-DVC-Su...AAOSws65Tl2KCV
Last edited by Jabberwock; 08-20-17 at 05:22 PM.
#13
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This speaker is much higher quality than the crappy ML OEM sub. It has two 8 ohm voice coils so it can be wired as a 16 ohm speaker. I replaced the ML OEM sub in my SC430 (which is identical to the sub in the LS430) with the sub below about 9 months ago and it works great.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-8-DVC-Su...AAOSws65Tl2KCV
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-8-DVC-Su...AAOSws65Tl2KCV
#14
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. Yes this is a possibility. I replaced my sub (after numerous attempts at the glue fix and one refoam). I purchased my oem from eBay for $295 which was a good price at the time. I don't blast my music and am aware that these are cheaply made speakers. I don't want to shell out any more money on the sub. This was years ago. The angle of the rear sub and the sun also plays a part on it's deteriorating. Poor design but the only one available unless replacing the entire system.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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The LS is an amazing car but the OEM ML speaker components on the LS and SC are laughable. Paying $15-20 for a re-foam repair kit to repair a low end $15 speaker makes no sense despite the stupid price that Lexus asks for ML speakers.
Last edited by Jabberwock; 08-21-17 at 05:41 AM.