I spruced up my instrument cluster..

[BDSax]

well, at least its not that hard to take out the cluster

[sweetride01]

well, at least its not that hard to take out the cluster

Well, it still takes 45+ minutes unless you are "driven" plus glueing time. Just an unneeded hassle...

[nando]

MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE USING STRONG GLUE THAT WILL LAST!!!!!!! I didn't and paid the price...the rings dropped out and I had to take the bloody cluster out again...

the rings I got snap in, they don't use glue at all. they aren't going anywhere. ;)

[mitch500]

any pics of it in the car.?

[cahomey]

I just ordered some.

Looks good.

[nando]

any pics of it in the car.?

not yet.. waiting for my new steering wheel, and I gotta clean up the interior. it will be a while..

[ZM Blue Devil]

Looks really nice, especially how nice the cover came out. I noticed how bad mine is today when i took it out to replace the si board. Ill have to pick up some of that 3m polish.

[Jean]

What specific ebay seller did you buy them from ? I am going to order a set also, I've been thinking about that for a while now and want the ones that snap in, no glue.

[nando]

here's my auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3AEOIBSAA%3AUS%3A11&viewitem=&item=220012103524

[mazur]

Am I blind, or is the plastic cover not there? (I hope you didn't pry off the plastic when all you have to do is undo a couple screws from the backside:neutral: )



Anyways, I would suggest taking a rattle can to it just so you don't get clumps of paint and brush strokes doing it the other way. The needles are able to basically slide off and on. Just be careful because they are easy to break.

[Jean]

Am I blind, or is the plastic cover not there? (I hope you didn't pry off the plastic when all you have to do is undo a couple screws from the backside:neutral: )



Anyways, I would suggest taking a rattle can to it just so you don't get clumps of paint and brush strokes doing it the other way. The needles are able to basically slide off and on. Just be careful because they are easy to break.

LOL, look again, it's just clean!

[SandyEggoE30Girl]

It looks really great!!!
I actually bought some rings a year ago, and have never installed them. I am kinda scared of taking apart my dash. I know so little about the BMW. Now if it was a Porsche, NO PROBLEM! But that just looks really great!
How hard is it to take the cluster out????
Can a stupid girl do it?? While I am at I should replace my SI board, as my fuel gauge is starting to act wombly?

[Jean]

You don't need to remove the dash to remove the cluster. Removal of steering wheel is optional too.

(this is on non air bag car, air bag knee pad is different and unless you have small hands you'll probably need to remove the stuff that's in the way).

1) remove the lower knee pad
2) there are two thumbscrews(nuts) that hold the lower rectangular plastic cover under the cluster above the steering console, remove it.
3) remove the black plastic trim around the cluster (2 screws on the top, 4 on the bottom.
4) remove two more screws holding the cluster "tabs" to the inside of the dash
5) move the cluster towards you, face down, remove the connecters on the back of it with a flat screwdriver
6) here is the fun part, getting the cluster out just at the right angle. I found it's easier if set your turn signal switch on the "left" or lower position to get more room. or you can remove the steering wheel to make this easier.

[nando]

Am I blind, or is the plastic cover not there? (I hope you didn't pry off the plastic when all you have to do is undo a couple screws from the backside:neutral: )



Anyways, I would suggest taking a rattle can to it just so you don't get clumps of paint and brush strokes doing it the other way. The needles are able to basically slide off and on. Just be careful because they are easy to break.

it was very easy to do with a brush. a rattle can is waay overkill.

and yeah, I removed the plastic cover.. you can't exactly snap the rings in place without taking the cover off ;)

[Jscotty]

You don't need to remove the dash to remove the cluster. Removal of steering wheel is optional too.

Getting the cluster out is like one of those brain teaser puzzles where you have to figure out how to separate the odd shaped metal rings. Not only does the turn signal have to be in the left turn position but if you have the 4-spoke steering wheel it should be turned slightly to the left so that the biggest opening in the wheel can give you enough clearence to get past the top part of the dash.