Altec A7-500 Woofer Removal?

**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

**Altec Best** · August 15th, 2012, 02:24 PM

Removing them without issue is the most important thing.. Good News !

**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!

**Altec Best** · August 15th, 2012, 03:11 PM

Yes gravity being what it is..I'm surprised it was at the top...Are you sure someone didn't rotate them recently... The cloth surround dope always migrates south ! Meaning at the bottom of the woofer..

**Jimmy-time** · August 15th, 2012, 03:57 PM

Yes, you are correct about the position of the glue being at the bottom. The cabinets came to me in the configuration of the woofer on the bottom and the horn inside speaker up. I removed the horn and placed the cabinets with the woofer up. I plan on placing the horn on top. When the cabinets were turned around the labels on the woofer then appeared upside down. Thanks.