Altec A7-500 Woofer Removal?

**bowtie427ss** · August 13th, 2012, 06:31 PM

If they're Altec woofers with doped surrounds that have been in place for a long time, the surround dope has probably migrated and re-set effectively gluing the gasket and part of the surround to the baffle. I wouldn't try to shove anything between the baffle and gasket without first softening with heat, a blow dryer on a medium setting works great for this. Usually a good even application of heat alone is enough, and no prying or tools are necessary.

**gvasale** · August 13th, 2012, 09:32 PM

Rather than using vaseline which can soak into the wood and paper gaskets a piece of aluminum foil or plastic wrap should do a better job of not having things stick together.

**Jimmy-time** · August 14th, 2012, 12:20 PM

I will add this technique to my woofer removal attempt this evening. Wouldn't have thought of the blow dryer. Hopefully successful and not in the market for new woofers tomorrow. Ready for "Altec Surgery". Thank you.

**VolvoHeretic** · August 14th, 2012, 01:19 PM

I just yanked mine off and amazingly, the gasket stayed with the speaker along with pieces of plywood.

**RonSSS** · August 14th, 2012, 03:06 PM

I clean dusty cones with a very slightly damp cloth.
Ron

**cradeldorf** · August 14th, 2012, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by RonSSS

I clean dusty cones with a very slightly damp cloth.
Ron

Or if you can get your hands on one of those miniature vacuums for keyboards.

**cradeldorf** · August 15th, 2012, 12:13 AM

I'm getting worried, we haven't heard the outcome of the removal attempt. : /

**Jimmy-time** · August 15th, 2012, 02:17 PM

On bowtie427ss's advice I used the blow dryer technique. Success! By heating up gasket you loosen the glue and they pop off without damage to the speaker. Great advice. I noticed there is a glue glob only at the top of the speaker surround and no where else as though this glue was intended to overlap the surround in the original assembly. The second speaker was even easier knowing the glue to be heated was at the top only. Thanks everyone. jimmy-time

**bowtie427ss** · August 15th, 2012, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by Jimmy-time

On bowtie427ss's advice I used the blow dryer technique. Success! By heating up gasket you loosen the glue and they pop off without damage to the speaker. Great advice. I noticed there is a glue glob only at the top of the speaker surround and no where else as though this glue was intended to overlap the surround in the original assembly. The second speaker was even easier knowing the glue to be heated was at the top only. Thanks everyone. jimmy-time

Is it "puddled" as if it ran there after the woofer was installed?

It's probably not glue, but rather the sealant used on the cloth surrounds. In the right combination of heat and humidity it can get soft enough to all migrate to one spot on the circumference of the surround and gasket especially when a little too much sealant may have been applied at the factory.

Glad you got them out successfully!