front door deadening

[jshow816]

Has anyone done any deadening on the front door panels when adding capable speakers? I've got a set of components installed and my door card rattles/resonates like crazy crazy in the upper bass/midbass range. I've stuck weatherstripping around everywhere and got it down considerably, but since the speakers are mounted to the door panel (wtf GM) I think I need to do something a little more drastic. How have you guys with aftermarket speakers and amps dealt with this?


I seen some of Nos4blood70's posts on diyma forums, while looking for ideas.. So what did you end up doing, and how has that worked out for you?

[96 SSEi]

hi, I had this issue on my 96. I first isolated the rattle by applying pressure to sections of the pass door with my hand. I then removed the panel and inserted a thin layer of high density foam behind the offending section. that seemed to reduce the rattle but I needed to replace all the clips to get a tight fit to door shell.

[Luxrain]

I have a similar issue.... The problem with mine is its not actually the door panel... Its something inside the door

[nos4blood70]

Hey there.

I used FatMat on the door skins which helped a lot just making the low frequencies sound better and louder. Also put small pieces all over the inside of the door card, with a decent concentration around the speaker hole. Additionally, I used closed cell foam (CCF) to get rid of a lot of my rattles inside the panels, however at really loud volumes there's still some buzzing going on. I don't think GM intended for any low frequencies to be coming out of those speakers at such volumes as can be attained with some capable components.

[2003 SSEi]

I have seen people fabricate a MDF plate that actually attaches to the Inside of the door itself, and has the same height and spacing as it would if it had been installed on the door card.

[nos4blood70]

That is what Randy and I spoke about once, it would be interesting and very helpful to do. Seems like a decent amount of work though.

However, it's probably the only true way to decouple the driver from the door card and eliminate the rattles.

[Bugsi]

I recommend rolling on a layer of Dynamat Extreme. It's *really good* at adding mass and deadening vibration. I've used it on rear decks with good results, and I wouldn't hesitate to coat the entire backside of the door panel with it. Also a big pad of it on the inside of the door skin itself will help deaden panel resonances. Good stuff. Kinda pricey, but worth it.