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Navigation & Audio speaker grill replacement foam? in '06 HK
Navigation & AudioBring your GPS and favorite CD or MP3. This is where navigation and audio options for the Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs are discussed.
The thin foam between the perforated metal grill and frame on the front of the speaker has deteriorated and is mostly missing on my '06 R52. Because of the foam is missingthe grills rattle when the stereo is a little louder. Anyone know what type of foam this is and where to get more so I can replace it and stop the rattling?
Last edited by RudeJoe; Jun 8, 2019 at 08:29 AM.
Reason: added picture
If you can get it apart, I would just go to Wal Mart and get some weatherstripping in the home repair section. Also pick up some razor blades while you're there so you can cut it down to fit. Should run you around $10.
If the deteriorating foam caused the two grill plastic pieces to become loose against each other, you can apply silicone sealant between them around the perimeter (see photo below), which will prevent the pieces from moving. However, I'm skeptical that this is the actual problem. Try to get the rattle going, and press on the grill and around the speaker area and see what makes it stop.
The most common cause of speaker rattle is from the interior side panel vibrating against other parts. The grill is attached to the interior side panel, and there is a gap between the side panel and the speaker itself. Speaker vibration can cause it to rattle against the inside of the side panel. A remedy is the apply foam or felt around the speaker opening on the inside of the panel, which will cushion physical contact with the speaker. There is also a possibility that the rattle is from a blown speaker. In this case it sounds more like a distortion rather than a rattle between physical parts.
Unfortunately, the speaker grill was attached to the side panel by melting its plastic fasteners, and not easily removable. To access the area, you need to remove the entire panel, which is a chore. https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/r...mrests/3Nenuu3
RKW - thanks for posting the backside image. It does show the foam material between the speaker grill frame and the perf metal (not visible in this images).
If the stereo is on and buzzing (grill vibrating) and I put my hand on the perf metal the buzzing (vibration) stops. So I'm quite confident that its the loose grill and not a blown speaker.
I'd really like to make it look original with the foam and not see the speaker through the perf metal. Once I get the material I was thinking I would break loose the melted bosses to remove the grill, put the foam in, and then maybe use screws to fasten it back in place.
Just need to know where to get some foam sheet material.
The parts catalog associates the speaker grill with 6mm "circlip" fasteners (part# 54318246804), so attachment might not be welded plastic after all.
Don't know about a source for foam. There is foam for home loudspeakers but they start at 1/4" thick.
I've had that back panel off and the grill on mine is attached by melting the boss. I have a feeling that clip is used with replacement parts as a shop/dealer wouldn't have the proper tool to melt/weld the part.
