Sub Install Questions

[diablo5969]

Alright, I don't know much about audio, so if these are extremely dumb questions, feel free to torture a voodoo doll of me, then come back and tell me politely.

My friend and I installed an 8" Eclipse sub in the factory enclosure yesterday, and on the drive home I noticed a really high pitch squeak. I called my friend (who knows a lot more than I do) and he said the squeak was because the plastic panel around the sub is loose and vibrating, and the squeak is caused by the plastic of the panel touching the metal. He recommended insulating under the panel. My questions are:

1. Does this sound logical?
2. Is it bad the play the sub under this condition?
3. Is there a way to just tighten the panel, without really taking it off?
4. Is it really worth insulating, especially if there's another way to get the squeak to stop?

Alright, well that's all I can think of now. I might be back later with a couple more questions. Thanks in advance!

 

[VairKing]

If the sub was making a squeeking noise, it would not be it vibrating, this would just shake the whole truck, and make everything rattle. I would play the sub, and take the grill off and listen to see if it is the sub making the noise, cause I bet thats what it is. The only way I can see the enclosure making a squeeking noise is if it is rubbing against something, so make sure all the bolts that hold the enclosure in are tight.


(PWUI)

 

[kardinal]

if the "squeak" sounds like it is is coming from the speakers (the regular speakers not the sub), it means you have a bad ground. if it's just coming from the area of the sub then i'm not sure.

 

[leenjen]

you mounted an eclipse sun in the factory enclosure?
is there enough airspace for the subwoofer? another thing you might have to worry about is the enclosure flexing.

 

[diablo5969]

New developments are that if I get out and push in all the little plastic clips holding the big plastic panel, the squeak goes away, at least for a while. I think that maybe the panel is loose and is rubbing against the enclosure. Does that sound like a logical problem?

And also, leenjen, I hadn't really thought of the problems involved with putting the Eclipse in the factory unit. My friend seemed to have no qualms with it, and I trust his judgement. (He's currently doing a Hummer for Car Audio Magazine, so he's got the credit to his name.)

 

[leenjen]

that's cool. i just wasnt sure how much airspace your 8" eclipse needed.

it looks like you are going to have to find a way to keep the plastic from moving. or put a deadener between the panels so they dont squeak.

 

[diablo5969]

Originally posted by leenjen
it looks like you are going to have to find a way to keep the plastic from moving. or put a deadener between the panels so they dont squeak.

Yeah, this was what I was originally asking about. Is there a way to keep the plastic panel from moving, like to tighten the panel? It's weird, it's got those round plastic clips that Ford loves so much, and the thing is, whenever it start squeaking I get out and push the clips in. The panel doesn't actually get any tighter, and the clips don't feel like they're doing anything, but the squeaking stops for a while. Is there a convenient way to push the clips in permanently? Or maybe even an inconvenient way?

And also, about insulation: If I neeeded it, where would I put it exactly to stop the squeak?

 

[kardinal]

it's a ford, im afriad youre doomed to listen to the queak forever!!!!! and even if you get that squeak fixed its likely that another will squeak in its place. how does this plastic cover go on? plastic doesnt squeak.... is it held in by metal clips?

 

[diablo5969]

Originally posted by kardinal
it's a ford, im afriad youre doomed to listen to the queak forever!!!!! and even if you get that squeak fixed its likely that another will squeak in its place.

Oh no, I've already got all the compulsary Ford squeaks. This is just an extra

As far as the logistics of the plastic panel, I don't exactly know the details. I personally haven't taken it off before. I'm hoping maybe leenjen or someone else might know

 

[Timmy]

hmm i dont know but i wonder if you got new clips and a little bit of dynamat it might help

 

[diablo5969]

That's kind of what I'm thinking too, but I want to find out for sure first

 

[leenjen]

that is your best bet. it's hard to diagnose it without actually being there

BUT if you send me a pair of roundtrip tickets to Atlanta, i'll get rid of the squeak for you

 

[diablo5969]

We can cut a deal: If you pay your way here, I'd let you spend a few nights in my house, might even feed you a little

So, seriously, the best bet would be to replace the plastic clips and insulate under the panel?

 

[leenjen]

yeah. from your description it sounds like the plastic that is touching is making the squeak. if you insulate it, it wont vibrate and squeak anymore.

 

[diablo5969]

Alright. So it looks like I'll be insulating around the sub. Thanks for the help!

BTW, if I'm insulating, do you still think it'd be worth it to replace the clips on the plastic panel, or would that be overkill?

 

[leenjen]

you only need to replace them if they are cracked or worn.

 

[kardinal]

**** fool ATL represent! what part you live in? i live about 20 miles north of the perimeter in lawrenceville.

 

[diablo5969]

One of them's cracked, so I'm going to get that one replaced. Just out of curiosity, what are those little clips called? I'm talking about those round plastic ones that go underneath the rearmost sidewindow

 

[diablo5969]

Originally posted by kardinal
**** fool ATL represent! what part you live in? i live about 20 miles north of the perimeter in lawrenceville.

I live in Dunwoody, about 30 seconds north of the perimeter. You going on the North Georgia run in a couple of weeks?

 

[leenjen]

you can buy a bag of them from the ford dealer for about $10. there are a lot of them in the bag.