The rubber material around the paper cone is falling apart,it's decaying. Can it be repaired or replaced?

If it is a woofer, you would probably fix it quite easy. If the speaker driver is used for both bass and midrange, you have a problem.
Fixing a speaker cone is depending on the material. If it is paper cone, it is very easy by using paper that you glue with wood glue (White water based glue) on to the cones rear side (for estetic reasons).
A midrange or bass/midrange driver is operating in frequencies where the cone starts to break up. Not torn apart, but the break up frequency is the frequency where the inner and outer part of the cone not longer follow each other in the same direction. These properties of a cone determine the sound of the speaker which is that type of speaker drivers "identity". Messing that identity up, you end up with a speaker that does not sound as the original one.
Remember that cross over network used to split up frequency ranges, not only are lowpass, bandpass, and highpass filter, but they also filter irregularities where the speaker driver is not longer providing a linear frequency response (Its characteristic sound).

If the cone is polypropylene, there isn't much glue that bite on that material.

It can, there are DIY speaker repair kits available, and many many repairers also specialising in speaker cone repair.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Replace-dry-rotted-speaker-surrounds-with-cloth-re/

http://www.speakerworks.com/speaker_repair_kits_s/65.htm

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/speaker-repair-kit

http://www.speakerbits.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=7:speaker-repairs-27-years-experience&Itemid=110
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I assume you speak of the loudspeaker or drive unit which is fitted with a thick gasket material around the edge of the cone where it is bonded to the outer flange of the speaker chassis.

The gasket material and the outer edge of the cone will be clamped when the speaker is mounted to the baffle and screwed down tightly.

The clamping force greatly reinforces the bonding of the cone to the speaker chassis.



The gasket material is important to provide an air-tight seal which is especially important when used in an infinite baffle enclosure.



With extreme care the gasket can be removed and replaced with fibreboard (the traditional material), closed cell foam or cushioned vinyl.

Water based adhesives must be used with care so wetting of the cardboard or paper cone is avoided. The finished gasket should be the same dimensions as the original so it doesn't restrict the travel of the cone and speech coil. A uniform thickness is also important so the chassis is not twisted or distorted when mounted to the baffle board.



It is possible to have a loudspeaker drive unit repaired or overhauled and it might even be possible to obtain spare parts. The process requires much experience. The cost of mass-produced drive units is so low professional repairs are uneconomic and so such a service is only suitable for special, high performance, high quality, hand-built units.

Dear Rob,
Really Thankful for the detailed description for the Speaker Repair.
It really helped me a lot. I have a unusual situation here with me. I have dissected the whole console and found the outer band of the speaker has just come off....have attached photos to make it clear. does the outer speaker cone will make a difference or i will have to replace the speakers itself.....when i checked pressing the speaker down and played the distortion had gone....but while playing without holding the distortion would come back....Hope you can help me in this situation....Thanks in Advance.....

Remove the protecting grill in front. Check if the cone is still connected to the rubber band. If not, remove the screws around the speaker. Open the casing itself. Do not forget the screw in the middle of the battery compartment. Remove the bottom cover. Disconnect the 2 wires on the speaker and take out the speaker. It will come out with the plastic protection around it. Looking at the cone now, push up the Carton cone and keep it in place by putting some tissue paper or small cloth underneath. Clean the cone first. Use some rubber cement on the outer edges of the cone and press the rubber back on the cone. Let it dry for an hour and then remove the tissue / cloth, so the cone goes back to its normal position.You can use some extra rubber (those pre-glued strips that you would use to fix a bicycle tire) to make it extra strong. Remount everything back in place and voila....it works again!If your cone is not damaged, the casing most probably does not seal good anymore. Tighten all screws a little more and use plastic electrical tape all around to seal all joints. The bass is produced inside the casing itself and pushed out via a horn. If it is not closed off well, your bass sounds grumpy.

You don't say which model this is, so difficult to advise specifically..
You are referring to a Fuser Roller, this is subjected to very hot temperatures as the toner is baked onto the paper. What is happening is that the protective teflon coating on the rubber has decayed and the softer rubber underneath is going frissile. From experience with laser printers, photocopiers and print driers, if one roller is going, the rest will be on their way out also. Assuming you can get the part, and fit it, the repair job will be short lived as other rollers will shortly decay.

The cost of replacement varies but depending on the model, between 50 and 80 pounds seems to be the going rate on ebay

You may possibly need to have the speakers re coned. Over time the paper and or rubber materials used in making the actual speakers can deteriorate. Speech may sound fine, but when something with dynamic range ,as most music, is played the problems of the worn materials can come out. There are several places across the country that recone speakers. Check your local area first, and online from there. Speakers can be expensive to ship, so driving them to the repair center is always the best alternative. Possibly removing the speakers themselves and shipping them can also be an alternative.
Good Luck.

Hi, Jr.

I'm sorry, but glue will not fix this problem. When the rubber or foam edge of a speaker breaks down or deteriorates because of age, it becomes almost like dust, which is why it cracks and then breaks apart and falls away from the speaker. The only way to fix it (besides replacing the speaker) is to replace the edge, or "surround". At this link, http://www.simplyspeakers.com/All-Foam-Kits_c_118-1-3.html, you will find a kit that you can buy to repair your speaker for about $30. The standard 12" repair kit will work if you have an 'angle cone edge attach' type speaker (see the bottom of the page for a picture of what this means). This page, http://www.simplyspeakers.com/speaker-repair-foam-edge-replacement-instructions.html, will show you step by step how to use the kit to repair your speaker.

Good luck, and please remember to rate my help.
Thank you for the opportunity to help you.

If the cone has a crack in it, that is USUALLY fatal, but you MIGHT try using the BLACK ABS plumbing glue to repair the plastic.

I don't know what you mean by the front face.

IF you mean the frame around the cone, I would grind out a groove (Vee it) over the crack and mix and fill with JB Weld. Paint to match when the material has set up and is smoothed a bit.

Search for "speaker re-coning" to find a repair shop.