B460 Driver removal

[pmakres1]

Hi Guys,

Sadly, the day has arrived that I must either refoam or recone the 2245H driver in my B460 Subwoofer. Anyone here have experience with removing this driver from the B460? It doesn't want to come out without a fight. Those of you familiar with the B460 know that it is held in with 8 clamps, and there are also dowel pins that the holes in the driver fit over, and between these pins and the sealing gasket, the driver just doesn't want to budge. I am concerned with chewing up the baffle and/or speaker frame prying with a screwdriver. I've tried warming up the perimeter of the frame with a hair drier, to no avail. I'm not sure if the driver has ever been removed, it appears perhaps not. Has anyone here had trouble with this, and how did you get the driver out?

Thanks,

Peter

[Zilch]

Tap a utility knife blade in around the edge as a wedge to break it loose.

Just the blade, flat on the baffle.

B460's on it's back.

Use multiple blades if you need to....

[Andyoz]

I had a similar issue when I tried to dislodge the 108H drivers in my 250Ti's.

Tried to use a screwdriver but could see that would lead to disaster.

I used a paint scraper to (carefully) wedge the driver away from cabinet. Also covered the area with masking tape for extra protection. The 108H driver has a "lip" that allowed me to get the scraper in between the drver and cabinet. Not sure about the B460 though.

Once the gasket finally gave way, the driver came out very easily.

[mech986]

Very nice JBL B460!! As stunning a cabinet as the L300 and L250 that this was built to accompany.

My recommendation would be to put the cabinet on its back with maybe some type of block to have the driver basically flat and level. Then there is no torque from the magnet weight to work against. Apply the blue masking tape as Gonzomeep suggests. If the sideways tapping doesn't loosen the bond (I think the original gasket was cork IIRC), then try this. Get 4 or 5 plastic 2" or wider putty blades. With chisel edge up, you can tap these in at 90 degree points around the driver frame. At some point, the bond should open up between the driver and gasket. Likely the gasket will deform a bit though.

Be sure to inconspicuously mark the frame or cone for clock position. If you refoam, you might want to rotate the driver 180 degrees so the spider, if not worn out, will not be sagging from the same gravity pull.

You should check with JBL to see about replacement sealing gaskets. Also, if you are going to refoam or recone, be sure to gently peel out or remove the foam rubber front gasket that sits on top of the foam surround. I don't know if these are available anymore but they always looked better than the typical paper gaskets that many refoamers supply. May be a minor point but it keeps that original JBL look.

If you refoam, be sure to get the proper narrow half roll foam and put the foam on the back of the cone as per original only. The 2245H is one awesome driver and deserves the best of your efforts.

Just checked JBLPro's website http://www.jblproservice.com/navigat...s%20lists.html on the 2245H driver. Recone kit is C8R2245H and is $246 for the kit alone. Rear Gasket could be #60578, cork Adhesive back for the similar 2240H 18" and is only 0.96 per segment (may need 4), and the front gasket if needing replacement is #51272 and, if available, is only $1.14 (may be per 90 degree segment), always check with JBL Pro Parts to be sure about true stock availability.

Good luck!

Regards,

Bart

[pmakres1]

Hey folks,
Got it! : A combination of the blue masking tape, a two x four and gentle tapping, and a couple of madium sized beveled paint scapers did the trick. The 2245H is indeed an awesome driver! I was lucky when I got my B460 five years ago for a number of reasons: Not only was the driver and cabinet in very good shape, whoever owned it before me installed really nice WBT binding posts, and I don't believe the internal hookup wires are stock either. See photos-note the braided configuration of the wires. Anyone know who makes these? The way they go right inside the binding posts at the rear of the enclosure almost makes it appear that they came with the WBT terminals. If you look at the driver sitting next to the cabinet, you can see where the surround has split. Though you can't see it in the photos, it has also separated along 3 inches or so of the cone's circumference. From what I can tell from looking at the rear of the cone, this driver was never refoamed-if anything it was reconed. At any rate, I consider myself lucky I got 5 years out of the driver since I bought the system in 2002.

Thanks for all the helfpful tips and info folks!
Peter

[pmakres1]

Good evening all,

I've elected to have the 2245H fully reconed by Speaker Exchange in Tampa. They've ordered the kit and I've had them do next day delivery, so the kit should arrive there tomorrow morning (Tuesday). I've taken the driver to them today so they can commence the cleanup and prep on the frame. I should have it back by week's end. I can't wait!

I'll post pics of the reconed driver when I get it back.

Thanks again to all,

Peter

[pmakres1]

..

[pmakres1]

As promised, here are some pics of the newly reconed driver, which I got back late last week. It works perfectly and looks great too. The work was done by Speaker Exchange in Tampa, and I recommend them.

Back in business!

Peter

[Andyoz]

I never get sick of looking at B460's. A great bit of JBL history there!

[hjames]

As promised, here are some pics of the newly reconed driver, which I got back late last week. It works perfectly and looks great too. The work was done by Speaker Exchange in Tampa, and I recommend them.

Back in business!

Peter

hey Pete - thanks for the pictures. Very nice.

Your room is one of my favorites the first time I saw it (didn't know it was yours then). I like the wood and how everything manages to find a place and a space ...

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/s...62&postcount=3

If you post a few more shots to give us a wider look around - I know I'd appreciate it!

[pmakres1]

hey Pete - thanks for the pictures. Very nice.

Your room is one of my favorites the first time I saw it (didn't know it was yours then). I like the wood and how everything manages to find a place and a space ...

http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/s...62&postcount=3

If you post a few more shots to give us a wider look around - I know I'd appreciate it!

Hi Heather, and thanks!

Here's a few photos that give a little more perspective. One is an older photo, before I upgraded the TV to a rear projection set.

Peter

[JBL 4645]

I never get sick of looking at B460's. A great bit of JBL history there!

I never get bored reading threads like this. Maybe someday a B460 will show up on ebayUK at decent (buy it now) price with cheap postal cost.

Glad the reform went well for you Peter, oh this was a few years ago.