Speaker grill doesnt fit correctly

[Mel H.]

Having trouble getting the radio speaker grill on the dash to fit down against the dash. Sort of sits up off the surface at the read edge, leaving a gap. I even removed the speaker, clock, & radio to see what was keeping it from fitting down against the dash.. dont see any apparent problems. Almost seems the 'legs'/'feet' on the grill are too long and are holding the grill off the surface a bit.

Anyone else ever have this problem or have any advice on how to correct?

Mel

[Michael G.]

Re: Speaker grill doesnt fit correctly

Having trouble getting the radio speaker grill on the dash to fit down against the dash. Sort of sits up off the surface at the read edge, leaving a gap. I even removed the speaker, clock, & radio to see what was keeping it from fitting down against the dash.. dont see any apparent problems. Almost seems the 'legs'/'feet' on the grill are too long and are holding the grill off the surface a bit.

Anyone else ever have this problem or have any advice on how to correct?

Mel

Mel,

The front leading edge of the speaker grille will have a gap. Grille does not touch the dash on the leading edge. This is how they fit.

[Mel H.]

Re: Speaker grill doesnt fit correctly

If by 'front' you mean towards the front of the car, my front edge fits fine. My problem is with the back edge of the grill where it leaves a gap. Do they typically have a gap there?

[Gene M.]

Re: Speaker grill doesnt fit correctly

The gap along the back edge (closest to you) is normal. The shape of the speaker grill was never made to the same shape to match the dash. This is just how it is. The only way to make it fit better is to modify the parts. There is no deduct (assuming the judge knows this) for the well known bad fit of these grills.

[Richard M.]

Re: Speaker grill doesnt fit correctly

I have fixed this on several, but you have to be careful......

Yes the u-shaped "feet" for the studs are not strong. Weak sheetmetal.

With the grill upside down on a padded surface, take a 1/4" drive deep socket, that will fit over the stud but maintain pressure on the u-shaped "foot", carefully tap the socket with a hammer so that the foot will bend down closer to the screen. Not too hard, you don't want to break anything. Do all 4.

Test fit back on the dash and by trial-and-error, repeat if needed. If it's good, when you install the speaker and tighten the nuts, just get them snug enough to keep it in place. If they get overtightened, you will pull the "feet" out again.

[Michael G.]

Re: Speaker grill doesnt fit correctly

Why fix when the design was meant to fit the way it does?!

[Richard M.]

Re: Speaker grill doesnt fit correctly

Why fix when the design was meant to fit the way it does?!

IMO the design was flawed. On our '63, the gap was only on the right rear and looked ugly. It would rattle occasionally.

I did the fix to make it look better and stop the annoying rattle.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Speaker grill doesnt fit correctly

My original 63 fits perfectly fine. It is a July build, so maybe they figured out the problem by then. I have replaced the speaker once and It again went back together well.

Stu Fox

[Mel H.]

Re: Speaker grill doesnt fit correctly

Thnx for the help guys. Good to know this is sort of just the way they are. Fit and finish wasnt that great in 63.

Actually, the shape of my grill seems OK, but looks like the feet of the grill are a bit too long, and probably was never perfect to begin with.