Problem replacing rear speakers in 2002 Malibu

When I removed the rear speaker grilles, I noticed metal clips attached to the grilles. They are used to clamp underneath the base panel to give
speakers a snug fit to the panel. Here's my problem: Once I removed the
speaker grilles, I was unable to put them back correctly. I could not get
these metal clips to go back underneath the base panel, thus leaving a
space between the grilles and base panel. Does anyone have any idea how to fix this? Any response will be appreciated.

Are you sayin you put new speakers in? and the original grills dont fit back on? I replaced my rear 6 X 9's and i couldnt really even get them to fit, i ripped out the black ring the speakers mount to got more room and dropped in my new ones. The original grills dont fit. So i had a set that came with mine, but i never put em on yet...Wish i knew more of your problem to help. Mine are 3-way's so the tweeters made the speaker too big ta fit under the girll...

Thank you for your reply, Harryc8786. I don't know how to explain it any better than I did in my first post.

well im not too sure, but it just sounds like those speakers are too big, mine were too and you probably cant get the grills back on unless you alter them somehow

Thanks, Harryc8786. No, I did put in new speakers. I cannot get the metal clamps that are attached to the grilles to go back underneath the baseboard.

If the problem is because of the new speaker getting in the way of the grill you can mount the speaker underneath the rear deck. You can do so by cutting a piece of medium density fiberboard to match the mounting space in the rear deck. Then place the MDF piece below the mounting hole in the rear deck and screw it in place through the speaker mounting holes. Then place the speaker below the MDF and screw it in upwards into the MDF. The only problem this may pose is the two sets of screws colliding. If this is the case you can place the screws in at an angle, and it should still provide a solid mount. Good luck with this and if you have any problems let me know.

Thanks, Drunken.

I've long since solved the problem. You have to removed the back seat in the 2002 Malibu to replace rear speakers.

jimbob.