How to Change the Rear Speakers in a 2005 Hyundai Elantra

by Chris Gilliland

Hyundai's 2005 Elantra was equipped with a four-speaker entertainment system, which placed a single speaker in both front doors with the remaining speakers concealed under the rear package shelf below the rear windshield. While these speakers were not the most powerful models on the market, they performed well enough for most Elantra owners. Replacing the rear speakers calls for the removal of the rear seat and several trim panels, including the package shelf. Although it may appear difficult at first, the job can be completed by most Elantra owners armed with a basic mechanic's tool set.

Step 1

Unscrew the two bolts securing the back portion of the rear seat cushion to the Elantra's cabin, located between the seat cushion and the backrest, using a ratchet and a socket. Pull the rear of the cushion up and rotate it toward the front of the Elantra until the hooks under the front of the cushion disengage from their holders. Remove the seat cushion from the Elantra's cabin.

Step 2

Slip the center rear shoulder seat belt strap from its guide at the top of the rear seat backrest. Lower the backrest as far as possible, then remove the bolts from the hinges on both sides of the backrest, using a ratchet and a socket. Remove the backrest from the Elantra's cabin.

Step 3

Unbolt the lower portion of all three rear seat belt shoulder straps from the bottom of the Elantra's cabin, using a ratchet and a socket. Pry the center seat belt shoulder strap bezel out from the center of the rear package shelf, using a flat-head screwdriver. Slide the bezel off of the end of the strap.

Step 4

Pry out the clips securing the rear package trim panel, the trim panel directly behind the rear seat backrest, to the trunk compartment, using a flat-head screwdriver. Unscrew the two screws at the bottom of the rear package trim panel, using a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the rear package trim panel.

Step 5

Pry the rear pillar trim panels on both sides of the Elantra away from the rear pillars, using a trim stick.

Step 6

Exit the Elantra's cabin and open the trunk lid completely. Locate the center brake light housing mounting tabs on the bottom of the rear package shelf. Push the tabs forward to release them from the rear package shelf.

Step 7

Climb back into the cabin, then pull the center brake light housing up and toward the front of the Elantra until it is free. Unplug the brake light connector. Pry the rear package shelf panel off of the rear shelf frame, using a trim stick. Pull the panel forward and slip the seat belt straps out of the openings cut into the sides and center of the panel.

Step 8

Remove the four screws securing the rear speakers to the left and right side of the rear shelf frame, using a Phillips screwdriver. Lift the speaker out of its recess, then unplug the connectors from the speaker terminals. Repeat to remove the remaining speaker, if needed.

Step 9

Plug the connectors into the new speaker's terminals. Lower the speaker into the recess and tighten the four screws until snug. Install the remaining speaker, if needed.

Step 10

Slip the rear seat belt shoulder straps through the openings at the sides and center of the rear package shelf panel. Position the panel over the rear shelf and push down firmly until the panel's mounting clips snap into place. Plug the center brake light into its connector, then slip the brake light mounting tabs through the slots cut into the panel until they lock into place.

Step 11

Re-install the rear package trim panel over the trunk compartment opening. Push the trim panel clips into their corresponding holes in the trim panel, then screw the two screws into place at the bottom of the panel, using a Phillips screwdriver.

Step 12

Align the hinges at the bottom corners of the rear seat backrest with their counterparts on the cabin floor. Screw the hinge bolts into place, using a ratchet and a socket. Lift the backrest into its fully raised position.

Step 13

Slide the center seat belt shoulder strap bezel over the end of the strap and push it into place at the center of the rear package shelf until it snaps into place. Pull the seat belt straps over the back rest. Bolt the rear seat belt shoulder straps to the cabin floor, using a ratchet and a socket. Slide the center seat belt strap into the guide at the center of the backrest.

Step 14

Push the rear pillar trim panels into place.

Step 15

Slip the hooks at the front of the rear seat cushion over the catches on the cabin floor. Lower the back of the seat against the backrest. Pull the seat belt buckles out from between the backrest and cushion, then push the cushion firmly into place. Screw the two bolts through the cushion's mounting straps to secure it to the cabin floor, using a ratchet and a socket.

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