I think you could get it refoamed and re-coned (only if necessary) for significantly less that $369.

 

My audio guy seems to feel that the rattle I'm getting might be the cone itself and that refoaming might not work. He looked at it carefully with the base on and seems to think that the cone is weak. It is completely discolored and by taking out the seats and refoaming to find out it's still rattling is a waste of time. The silicone should have eliminated all the buzzing and rattling if the rest of the speaker was working. It has improved after the silicone, but it's still making noise with certain songs. Unfortunately, I am not able to find anyone who can recone this speaker. I wish the people selling the speakers were more reasonable!

 

Cheapest repair available.....

Disconnect it and forget it is there. No buzzing.....

That's what I'd do until I figured out a less expensive speaker to install.

 

My bad thought it was 16 ohm speaker - its actually 12 ohm - very hard to find

 

Here is an 8" 12 ohm speaker

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=299-067

 

Good find......Thanks......I'd like to see anyone who has used this application to tell us it works without frying the amp. The price is right at $14! That's all the ML Subwoofer is worth!

 

Its a 12 ohm 40 watt rms speaker - it will be absolutely fine with the stock amp. I would say its likely same or better quality than the ML speaker that comes stock. The only thing to call and check is to ask the seller to measure mounting hole distances to see it it will fit existing mounting bracket. 8" speakers all have different frame sizes that can vary from 7.25 to 8.25 inches. Unfortunately speakers are far from universal fits in cars.

UL owners beware its 4 1/8 inch deep - I think ULs only have 4 inch clearance for the speaker because of the icebox or refrigerator or ultra-violet death ray machine in the back center trunk.

I think I will order one as insurance just in case my speaker ever goes out - even though I almost never listen to music or radio in my car unless we are on a road trip.

 

To answer the recent post about cheap subwoofer repair in a lexus. My family has owned a speaker repair shop for over 40 yrs, we have been fixing problems with for a long time. This idea may seam to work for a short period of time, but can ultimately damage the speaker further, forcing you to go to lexus and purchase a new sub for several hundred dollars. Any of the speakers in your vehicle can be edge repaired much cheaper. we only charge $50 for the sub and $35 for door speakers. If you are local to raleigh north carolina you can bring it to us if not we can ship and fix. hot glue will not allow the speaker to move properly.
email if u have further questions
aaronlovelace@sprint.blackberry.net

 

You are correct about the cheap fix not being a permanent one. It is also true about glue or silicone restricting the movement of the speaker. Refoaming is the way to go, and other than removing the seat is not very expensive.

 

Would you know if this prying method will work for a 2002 ES300 subwoofer grill?
Thanks

 

Check out the subwoofer replacement thread under FAQ

 

Where exactly is that? I looked under FAQs and found no Subwoofer replacement thread

 

If it is similar to the LS430, I just used a nail remover found on the end of a basic hammer and pried it up. It was very easy.

 

I used the silcone method yesterday (sub sounded awful) and today it sounds great!!!
May not last long but for now she is good......

 

I too went the silicone route and there was definitely an improvement, though over time I had to redo it as the florida heat and sun separated the slicone from the cone. What I don't like about this fix is that is restricts the natural movement of the cone and if the volume is pushed too high this restriction could actually the damage the speaker more seriously and replacement might be necessary. I decided to have my tech come by and remove and refoam the speaker. It took a few hours, but the results are the speaker sounds like a new one and it saved me hundreds of dollars compared to having to replace the speaker. This week I'm getting aftermarket front door speakers to replace the crap that's in there now. The weakest link in the LS430's reliability is the audio system.