Instrument Cluster Removal

[ramsey_5]

Ok, I have gotten the trim off and taken apart basically the underdash and the steering wheel. Finally get the damn thing where it will come out once I disconnect, and the glass is like WELDED in, you cannot get that stuff off, how do you take that off? I bought these really neato chrome discs to go around the speedo and tachometer and other gauges and I cant get them on because of my problem. I will have the thing off for a day until someone can give me some advice about how to take off the glass.
Thanks Steve

[ramsey_5]

By the way it is a 1991 318is E30.

[7hills]

I am assuming you are trying to take off the clear plastic so you can attach the chrome rings to the front of the actual guage panel. It is a tedious job, but it can be done. Carefully use a thin blade, like an X-Acto knife, to break the glue around the clear panel. Use gentle pressure or you risk cracking the lens.

Once you have it off you can re-attach it with plastic model cement or some type of super glue product. Either way make sure you like the way the guages look before you reattach the lens.

If your lens is scratched or spider webbed, you can get a plastic polish at most parts stores to help restore the lens.

Have fun!

[angryrobots]

Have you got it out of the dash yet? I explained how to get it out in this thread.

It's really not hard at all. I used a combination of this article

http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacg...00044&Section=

and the Bentley manual. Once you get the lower cover off (this is the big plastic cover that is under the dash, right above your legs, 4 plastic screws) you have to get the cover off that's right above the steering column. Reach behind it and you'll feel 2 "knurled nuts", as the Bentley manual puts it. Unscrew these (you remember "rightsey-tighsey, leftey-loosey, right?) with your fingers and you can push the panel out with the studs that the nuts were screwed on to.

After that its pretty obvious. Remove instrument trim plate. Theres 4 screws on the bottom and 2 on top holding it. The only screws left are 2 more in top holding in the instrument cluster.

Once you get it out, I would go ahead and remove the back piece that also holds the intstruments. Theres a bunch of phillip head screws all around the edges, and a couple in the middle that hold it on (don't take out the ones directly behind the intruments, those are holding the speedo, tach, etc. You want those to come out with the back piece). Then you'd just have the faceplate to work with.

And like 7hills suggested, remove the clear plastic _extremely_ carefully.

[toffa182]

wouldn't it be possible to put the chrome rings in from the backside. just gently squeeze them in there, or are they too fragile?

[bigred318]

here, i got an idea, don't put the chrome rings, the bmw e30 clusters are awesome stock, don't mess with it, you'll just break it


JOsh (davids friend)

[Red_Rocket]

Originally posted by bigred318@Jul 22 2004, 11:29 PM
you'll just break it

Its not that hard to take out. the screws underneath the over hang release it. and im sure you can find a website that will giude you. Ive always found a sit that helps me fix my bimmer. besides if you dont have an E30 why are you comenting?

[bigred318]

Originally posted by Red_Rocket+Jul 23 2004, 05:38 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Red_Rocket @ Jul 23 2004, 05:38 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-bigred318@Jul 22 2004, 11:29 PM
you'll just break it

Its not that hard to take out. the screws underneath the over hang release it. and im sure you can find a website that will giude you. Ive always found a sit that helps me fix my bimmer. besides if you dont have an E30 why are you comenting? [/b][/quote]
notice how i said josh (davids friend) ask me what he drives i dare you...





















AN e30!!! and he has taken out his cluster 5 times! me 1 you 0

David

[Red_Rocket]

Why the heck do think im in this forum? I drive an E30. besides it doesnt matter how many times youve taken the cluster out , its done the same way everytime. nobody wants your opinion, they want advice on how to do what they are trying to fix or mod. and all you can do is tell them what you thnk is cool or whatever. And why are all of your sources from friends? ever tried to fix somthing yourself?




oh by the way its all tied up

[alfisti]

My advice is to stay away from super glue when reattaching the lens. The residue from super glue vapors will show up in all the places that you dread most inside the lens. How do I know? My car came with those patches when I bought it. I've since done a removal and used a clear 5-minute epoxy from pep boys on a new lens and casing (with broken mounting tabs) that I bought off ebay. I also used epoxy to mount the chrome rings. Here's a picture of it. I used a stiff wire to replace the broken tabs, again, attached by epoxy. I've since replaced it into the car and am pretty pleased.

One more thing, if you've not replaced your odometer gears, now is a good time. The originals disintegrate over the years on most cars. My driving gear was almost non-existent, although the odometer was still rolling along at about 0.6 miles per mile...

[steeN]

Hey, guys! You are great. And the forum too.
I've read everthing here but i didn't understand if I have to remove the steering wheel before I remove the intrument cluster. I want to make some light change. Blue needles and red numbers maybe. I wonder if that is possible too?

[BMW Lover]

well anything is possible...the instrament cluster is very fagile thoh and u need to be carefull, im having problems with my speedo and shit right now it was the whole entire cluster but all the rest got fixed, just be very carefull man...the cluster is a ton of money let me inform you.

[steeN]

Thanks If I manage to do something nice I'll show. But what about the steering wheel?

p.s.
I have found here used cluster for $40 or something. It is not so much. What are the prices there?

[Speedy-325is]

Originally posted by Slvr E30iS@Aug 7 2004, 01:03 PM
the cluster is a ton of money let me inform you.

How much are we talking about ...???????


Mark

[BMW Lover]

well...i thot i saw one the other for for around 300...but then i talked to my mechanic, cuz i have a prob with mine. he said it was $1,100...i didnt beleive that but thereu have it, thats all my info on the subject