Fisher 102s speakers in very good appearance, but surround a little gummy. Suggestions?

[chrisNJ]

I’m opening up my speaker to find out why the woofer is out. Surround is just a little gummy. Is talcum or a little cornstarch a crazy idea to reduce the gummy-ness?

 

[swechsler]

Is the surround foam or treated cloth? If the former, that's one of the main symptoms of foam deterioration, and they're due for replacement. If the latter, then leave them as is - some cloth surround treatments are meant to be sticky. But neither would cause the woofer to be "out" (I assume you mean it produces no sound). Could be due to a crossover problem or the driver itself. Easiest test is to swap woofers between cabinets and see if the problem follows the woofer or stays with the box.

 

[chrisNJ]

Is the surround foam or treated cloth? If the former, that's one of the main symptoms of foam deterioration, and they're due for replacement. If the latter, then leave them as is - some cloth surround treatments are meant to be sticky. But neither would cause the woofer to be "out" (I assume you mean it produces no sound). Could be due to a crossover problem or the driver itself. Easiest test is to swap woofers between cabinets and see if the problem follows the woofer or stays with the box.

They appear to be cloth treated with a rubbery stuff. But not dry like my working KLH drivers. The fisher 102 speakers worked fine when I put them up in a dry garage... the driver on one speaker works, but not the tweeter... however the tweeter works on the other and not the driver. I’m attempting to remove the driver to check the connections, but the driver seems to be glued in. I’m wondering if a blow dryer will warm the glue enough to remove the driver without damaging it or the surround

 

[chrisNJ]

Anyone know the best way to get these fisher drivers out without destroying them? they appear to be firmly in place with some gummy glue. Moderate side force does not budge them. Figured I would ask here before F-ing them up.

 

[swechsler]

Pulling a wound steel guitar string back and forth under the driver flange will do wonders. Barring that, dental floss might also do the trick.

 

[spark1]

The tweeter and the woofer are both drivers.

Heat can help soften the old putty. Guitar string solution can work well.

 

[chrisNJ]

The tweeter and the woofer are both drivers.

Heat can help soften the old putty. Guitar string solution can work well.

Thank you for the heads up.

I basically find stuff over the years and end up fixing it with forum help eventually.
A guitar, an old tube amp from a jukebox, an old tuner... a speaker here and there. A Volkswagen bus... whateve.

 

[quiet]

I use a wire saw intended for cutting pvc pipe.