Door Speaker Replacement - Crossover Wiring Question

MAS956 · 08-21-2006, 07:39 AM

I'm finally getting around to upgrading my stereo system in the Carrera and will be installing MB Quart separates in the doors. It turns out that there were no separate tweeters originally installed in the car - just the speaker grilles for them.

Can I also assume that there will be no factory-installed wiring for the tweeters or is it stuck up in the door panel somewhere?

If I have to run new wires, any helpful hints on routing into the doors? That seems to be a challenge.

Thanks,

favrok01 · favrok01's Garage

disconnect speaker pull through just to the point where you still have a good hand hold on it. electrical tape new wire to the present wire under the dash after you tape it vasaline it a bit then pull back throut the door gromit. you now have another set of wires inside your door.

David · David's Garage

If you're spending money on MB Quarts, you might as well replace all the speaker wires too. I'm not suggesting you get stupid expensive monster wire, but just something better than stock stuff.

Have you looked at the crossover. I imagine for MBQ it's pretty large. Something else to find a mount for.

wcc · 08-21-2006, 08:40 AM

I'm looking at doing this project too. I have the wires and the doors I would do like favrok01 said. How big are your speakers? 6.5? or did you stay with the 5.25? Also, what are you going to do in the rear deck? I put a pair of 4X6 Infinity speakers back there. But again I would like to replace that speaker wire. So where did they run that wire? Or do the same method, by taping it and pulling it?

As far as placements go, IMO if you place the tweeters just a little higher on the door you should've just got 2way speakers. The tweeter should be pointed directly at you. So if I were doing component speakers I would try to find a place on the dash, pillars, or even above the seatbelt to point them correctly. Or put them on the door a little higher but have them angled to point towards your head.

MAS956 · 08-21-2006, 09:37 AM

Point taken on running new wires.

So the originals are inside some sort of sheathing - am I supposed to pull the new wires through the sheathing or do I pull it out when I attach the new wires?

Bill: I went with the 6.5" separates (RCE216) and understand that I will either need to enlarge the existing hole and/or use the standoff ring that came with the speakers so they don't mount as deeply in the hole. I hope/plan to mount the tweets in the factory location.

Thanks!

bell · bell's Garage

to pull the wires through the jamb here is the trick......
clean off the stock speaker wire well so tape will stick to it (alcohol works well), then tape the new wires to the stock wire (wrap the stock wire first with the tape, then wrap the new wires to it, it's all about tape contact)
then coat the wires in armor all (i use a rag and a generous amount).
then pull them through.

the biggest problem pulling wires through tight jambs is the wire sticks to the other wires....then it pulls from the tape and you're stuck.....no real second chances, the armor all will absolutely make your life easier.

favrok01 · favrok01's Garage

The sheathing can stay,... its black and about 3 feet long. You will be taping the wires to the sheathing of the stock wires. Its black sheathing. It all slides through a grommet in the door. once you slide it back and forth through the grommet a few times after you coated it with Vaseline or armore all it slides like butter and smooth with no problems.

I have run 8 wires through that grommet.

2 were for power locks.

So while you’re in there put an extra set of wires if you ever think of getting an alarm to protect those speakers.

If so have the power locks put in too, I love keyless entry

MAS956 · 10:38 AM

Thanks Favrok and Bell - that helps a lot!

MAS956 · 08-21-2006, 11:15 AM

Does it matter which direction the new cable is pulled? I.e., should I pull the new wire into the door or into the cabin?

favrok01 · favrok01's Garage

i did mine from the door with my hands on the ends. if you do it the other way you run a risk of puling the wires through the door and then have nothing.

MAS956 · 08-21-2006, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by favrok01
i did mine from the door with my hands on the ends. if you do it the other way you run a risk of puling the wires through the door and then have nothing.

If the tape lets go while you're pulling through, aren't you screwed whichever direction you're pulling from? That's the situation I'm REALLY trying to avoid as I have to pull two pairs through....

favrok01 · favrok01's Garage

just on the new set not on the present ones. If it lets go ( which it wont) you only lose the new set. if your pulling from inside then you can only pull as much wire before you get to end of the wires. safer to pull from the door.

good luck and get a alarm system.