Any tricks to remove drivers from a (sticky) cabinet

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.

Buy a set of mechanic's picks like THESE. Remove the drivers by working them loose with the picks, gently pulling from behind the screw holes in their baskets.

Install a pneumatic valve on the rear of the cabinet.  Pressurize the cabinets to 35 psi.  Grab some popcorn and enjoy the show.

non-sealed cabinets will require a little extra creativity.  Duluth Trading Company briefs stuffed in openings seem to provide the “correct” balance of mass and density.

or, just turn them upside down and shake them.