Quick Fix for blown Mark Levinson Subwoofer
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 326
Likes: 12
From: NC
Quick Fix for blown Mark Levinson Subwoofer
I've seen this in a few other subforums but thought I'd post it here as well since I did it on my GS this past weekend. The details are below. I used a plain old jar of Elmer's rubber cement for $3 (eliminates the need to bring electricity into the equation) and had really good results (can pump some heavy bass music and it plays just as it did new).
Okay I am borrowing this fix from another forum but I used it and it worked.
Basically you can pop out the cover from the sub in the back seat.
Now for the speaker issue. So rather than worry about replacing the subwoofer which can cost hundreds you can actually use glue. Here is an excerpt from the other forum:
"""""This will work for any make or model subwoofer lexus offers.
Go find/borrow/buy an electric glue gun or heavy duty bathroom tub/tile 100% silcone clear caulk (home depot or lowes).
I prefer the glue gun. Pull off or pry with screw driver or putty knife the subwoofer top grill where you suspect the noise is coming from. Inspect the cone around the speaker. lightly push down on the speaker's outside cone edge. you will find using a flash light and a good pair of reading glasses will help. Observer that in almost all cases the speaker will be torn around the outside edge. This is the weakest part of the factory subwoofer. Mine was torn for about 2 inches along the edge and was very hard to see tear. Take your glue gun, insert glue stick and let it warm up. Now go all the way around the entire outside edge of the speaker cone with glue meeting outside edge with the foam part of the speaker, cover the paper part of the speaker from the form part of the cone to the outside wall of the speaker. Fix any other tears with the glue gun.
Push the speaker cover back on and it will be as good if not better then new.
This is a simple repair for an expensive speaker that will last for a long time. No other replacement speaker will sound as good as the factory speaker without potentially damaging your Mark levinson amplifier. Believe me I know because I have tried others. """
Just make sure you let the glue settle after you put it on. And for me it didn't take 10 minuts but 30. The car subwoofer does not rattle anymore. This an alternative fix for those who do not want to replace the subwoofer.
Good Luck and hope this helps. Remember this DIY is at your own risk.
Basically you can pop out the cover from the sub in the back seat.
Now for the speaker issue. So rather than worry about replacing the subwoofer which can cost hundreds you can actually use glue. Here is an excerpt from the other forum:
"""""This will work for any make or model subwoofer lexus offers.
Go find/borrow/buy an electric glue gun or heavy duty bathroom tub/tile 100% silcone clear caulk (home depot or lowes).
I prefer the glue gun. Pull off or pry with screw driver or putty knife the subwoofer top grill where you suspect the noise is coming from. Inspect the cone around the speaker. lightly push down on the speaker's outside cone edge. you will find using a flash light and a good pair of reading glasses will help. Observer that in almost all cases the speaker will be torn around the outside edge. This is the weakest part of the factory subwoofer. Mine was torn for about 2 inches along the edge and was very hard to see tear. Take your glue gun, insert glue stick and let it warm up. Now go all the way around the entire outside edge of the speaker cone with glue meeting outside edge with the foam part of the speaker, cover the paper part of the speaker from the form part of the cone to the outside wall of the speaker. Fix any other tears with the glue gun.
Push the speaker cover back on and it will be as good if not better then new.
This is a simple repair for an expensive speaker that will last for a long time. No other replacement speaker will sound as good as the factory speaker without potentially damaging your Mark levinson amplifier. Believe me I know because I have tried others. """
Just make sure you let the glue settle after you put it on. And for me it didn't take 10 minuts but 30. The car subwoofer does not rattle anymore. This an alternative fix for those who do not want to replace the subwoofer.
Good Luck and hope this helps. Remember this DIY is at your own risk.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
From: California
I've seen this in a few other subforums but thought I'd post it here as well since I did it on my GS this past weekend. The details are below. I used a plain old jar of Elmer's rubber cement for $3 (eliminates the need to bring electricity into the equation) and had really good results (can pump some heavy bass music and it plays just as it did new).
I did this. Well, my dad did. And I paid a guy to remove it and put it back in. It worked for about 2 months, and then broke again. I think the paper gets so dry and brittle that it just needs to be replaced. Anyway, that was my experience.
Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 208
Likes: 61
From: TX
Not sure how that glue will hold. It may be a quick fix...followed by quick break again.
I just replaced the outer foam for under $20.
As you can see in my repair video, that outer foam literally crumbles into small pieces just at a slight touch.
I just replaced the outer foam for under $20.
As you can see in my repair video, that outer foam literally crumbles into small pieces just at a slight touch.
Last edited by CowBoE; Jan 31, 2021 at 06:12 AM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 162
From: or
Not sure how that glue will hold. It may be a quick fix...followed by quick break again.
I just replaced the outer foam for under $20.
As you can see in my repair video, that outer foam literally crumbles into small pieces just at a slight touch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wAqAgqn0Rc
I just replaced the outer foam for under $20.
As you can see in my repair video, that outer foam literally crumbles into small pieces just at a slight touch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wAqAgqn0Rc
Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 208
Likes: 61
From: TX
It's in the video description.
You'll need to remove the back seats and rear deck to get at the subwoofer as shown here:
It took me longer time to figure out how to take things apart,
but if you follow the video, you could finish the entire work in about 2.5 to 4 hours
depending on how savvy you are at taking things apart and putting them back together.
You'll need to remove the back seats and rear deck to get at the subwoofer as shown here:
It took me longer time to figure out how to take things apart,
but if you follow the video, you could finish the entire work in about 2.5 to 4 hours
depending on how savvy you are at taking things apart and putting them back together.
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