help replacing rear speakers - 98 GTP

[cowboyili]

I have a 98 Grand Prix GTP with the stock cd deck and speakers. recently one of my rear 6x9's was blown so i ordered 2 pioneer replacements. yesterday i got the speakers in and went out to try and replace them. i have experience replacing speakers, i've done it in many cars but this one seems really oddly put together. can anyone tell me how to get the plastic speaker covers off so that i can replace my speakers? i spent about an hour and half yesterday trying to remove it and decided to stop before i broke something. i'm not sure what needs to be removed and i'd rather not remove anything than the speaker grills if possible, but i realize things arent always as easy as we'd like. so, if anyone can tell me how to remove the 6x9 speakers it would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

[BNaylor]

Here's one of the best procedures ever posted:

Original post by billybob403

I just did this yesterday. process is exactly as stated. While pulling gently on the rings that are just below the front edge of the back seat, lift the front edge of the rear seat. One the bottom of the seat is out, there will be qty (2) 18mm nuts that retain the seat belts that must be removed. Then there are qty (2) 9 or 10mm nuts that are retaining the bottom of the rear upper seat. Once those nuts are removed, start at the outer ends of the rear upper, pull forward and upward, the two ends will release easier than the center. For the center, wiggle/push in pull up etc. At least with the center two hooks, you can see them from the trunk. Once the entire back seat is out, you will be able to see the retainers that are holding the rear deck carpeting and speaker grilles in place. There are qty (2) they are like the nylon push pieces that hold door panels on but larger in diameter. You will have to lift up and pull forward at one end or the other and rotate out. Set the carpet aside.

A regular philips screwdriver will easily remove the (2) forward most screws. For the rear most screws, I used a philips bit that you would chuck into a cordless drill and a 1/4" open end wrench. Because I wanted to keep the speaker risers, and because my Rockford Fosgate 6x9's would not exactly fit into the plastic risers, I had to use a dremel tool and clean off the small lip around the primeter of the opening.

Assembly is the reverse of removal. You will want to make sure that when you put the carpet deck back in that it correctly fits under the trim at the outer sides, put in the nylon retainers, hang the rear upper seat, put the seat belts back in place. The 18mm socket size nuts are to be tightened to 38-46Nm. (I did this little project because my right rear seat belt buckle had to be replaced - and the torque was listed in the drawing that came with the lap belts). BE SURE NOT TO STEP ON AND BUST OFF THE LITTLE RINGS THAT ARE USED TO REMOVE THE LOWER SEAT CUSHION. My 6 yr old graciously removed one of them for me. In case your rings are not present for the removal of the bottom cushion, when you gently lift the bottom cushion, there is a small tab that can be seen in the center of the tab that sticks into the floor, just pull it slightly forward while continuing to pull upward on the seat. In case you did not remember to notice how the seat belts were laid out prior to removing them, they both go towards the center of the car. Hope this helps.








Thrasher CAI, DHP v1.0 PCM, SLP Headers,
3.25 SC pulley, CAIT GMAF, 2.5 DP/Hi-Flow CAT,
u-bend delete, 160 TS, ZZP Stage 1 72mm TB,
TB spacer, MSD 8.5mm wires, Autolite 103,
Goodyear Gatorback Serp. & SC Belt,
Nitto NT555R Drag Radials
1/4 ET: 13.210 sec. @ 104.490 mph
0 - 60 ft: 1.945 sec.

[3.8SuperPacer]

ya...follow what billybob said...i used his post and was able to replace mine within an hour...he knows whats goin on...have fun replacin those rear's

[cowboyili]

great. thank you guys so much for replying. i'll give this a shot tomorrow and see how i do. ive never seen these rings that hold the seat cusion on but i'll let you guys know how it goes. thanks again!

[richtazz]

It sounds more difficult than it is, I did mine too, in less than an hour, could cut it in half now that I know what tools are needed. Bob is awesome at putting things in laymans terms, pretty scary since he's an engineer.

[andylikespez]

i had the same problem getting into my speakers. and that same post saved me lots of time and headaches. who would have thought you have to remove the entire back seat to get to the speakers. wierd, but what can ya do

[GTPpower]

Might want to take a look at the third brake light too since you have it off. Tighten it up to make sure it doesn't rattle.