Any tricks to remove drivers from a (sticky) cabinet

When I upgraded the drivers in my Alon speakers years ago, Carl Marchisotto recommended I use a certain sized screw that was just bigger than the hole in the driver, which was screwed into the front mounting hole of the driver until it became engaged and then I was able to pull the driver out from the front, similar to what was recommended by @elliottbnewcombjr 

I suggest trying the recommended methods posted below before prying against the cabinet, which seems to be asking for trouble.

This video shows a good way to remove woofers from the front:

One way to make this slightly easier is to heat the speaker just a bit with a heat gun, but, I think the approach shown in the video is really the safest.  You have to find the right screw to fit the driver hole, but, that is the only tricky part to this method.

I sympathise with you,

All I can add is to be extremely careful as accidents can happen so easily and a damaged cone is something to be avoided.

As suggested an oversize screw could be worth considering but again take extreme care.

The newer screw heads that take hex drivers are far safer than a Phillips-head screw or the dreaded slot type. The hex fit snugly and are held in place so accidents are unlikely.

A bolt that just fits in the hole could work as adding little angle might be enough to break the seal.

 

If your speaker cabinet is a sealed box, unscrew your driver and play low frequency signal through it at high volume. It may pop the driver off. If it’s a ported speaker, try blocking off the port until it’s air tight before applying signal. Works like a charm if driver isn’t too tightly seated.

Use an Allan wrench the size of the screw hole in the driver. Insert the short end into the driver screw hole and use the long end of the wrench to GENTLY pry upwards. Position the wrench parallel to the driver not towards the outside or inside of the driver where the driver is weakest.  Work your way around the driver holes one at a time prying gently a little at a time. I’ve done this many times and it works like a charm. Just remember to take your time and don’t force anything, just gently coax the driver out.