I've spent the last 30 minutes searching this forum for at least SOME guidance in installing rear 6x9 speakers in a CL-S.

I've found conflicting posts: I may have to pull the rear seat to install the speakers .... I only have to pop the rear speaker grills and unscrew/pull the old ones out.

Which is it and if I have to pull the rear seats, how in the world do I do this!?

 

Yes, there are a lot of conflicting reports. When I replaced my 6x9's (also an '01 CL), I found I didn't need to pull the seats or remove the rear deck. Just go into the trunk. Unplug the wires from the speakers. Remove the 2 screws that secure each grill cover. From the rear seat, pull the grill towards you and then up. Now you can get to the four screws that secure each speaker.

 

Ok .. I found the 2 screws in the trunk and unscewed those. However, the grill and plastic outer cover do not come up. I stuck a screwdrive underneath the plastic outer cover and it lifted a little but with ALOT of resistance.

I'm really apprehensive about pulling these up with a screwdriver because I don't want to ruin anything! What am I doing wrong here? You make it sound so easy!

 

He's saying to pull the grill towards you Then pull up.. There's probably some sort of locking mechanism holding it in place.

 

^^^
Yep. There are a couple slots in the rear deck under each grill. The grill has plastic tabs with a kind of hook on it that locks it into place. You need to pull the grill towards the front of the car about an inch. There will be a little resistance because the grill will be pushing slightly into the back of the rear seat headrest. Give it a firm pull towards you and then straight up and out.

 

I figured out how to do it after I posted the message yesterday.

For future searchers for this information, you do indeed have to pull up on the grill first, which causes the rear to pop out, and then pull it toward you.

My difficulty was popping it up initially. To do this, simply open the child seat latch and pull up on it. It will pop in less than a second and you can then pull the grill towards you and out!

My last issue are the two rear bolts closest to the back window (look like screws but the head requires an 8mm socket). My tiny socket wrench can't hook onto the bolt because the carpet is in the way. I suppose I could cut it slightly but don't want to do that.

How'd everyone else clear these bolts?

 

Now that you mention it, I do remember having to cut a little notch in the rear deck over those bolt heads. It only took about a 1/4" cut to get the socket to fit. When the grill cover is back on, it easily covers over that spot.