Aluminum cluster trim ring installation

[Jand3rson]

I got a set of the polished aluminum cluster rings in the mail yesterday for my M3 cluster shroud, and had a question about installing them. The ebay seller's page I got them from said they are the snap-in kind, but only the 2 smaller ones on each side fit snugly, the 2 bigger ones in the middle are just a tad too small for the holes. The go in and don't fall out, but they're slightly loose, and will rattle arounnd if not secured with something.

They're really nice looking, good quality, I got them for really cheap, and I don't want to deal with returning them or making a big deal about it with the seller, I'd rather just make them work. Anyone have any good suggestions for getting these 2 big center rings to stay put?

[aaron325ix]

I just got some too, but have not installed them yet. Maybe you could put a little glue of some sort and let it dry with the rings out just to create a layer on them. Then try to install, maybe that dried glue layer will make them fit more snugly? I dont know just an idea. I hope mine fit.

[StereoInstaller1]

Josh, use high quality crazy glue, like that found in hobby shops. "ZAP" is an excellent brand. Buy some of the accelerator spray too, it is just magical.

Luke

[BeirBrennerE30]

Josh, use high quality crazy glue, like that found in hobby shops. "ZAP" is an excellent brand. Buy some of the accelerator spray too, it is just magical.

Luke

thats what I did...just put a lil glue on the inside rim on the cluster surround of the 2 larger gauges. works fine. no rattles

We probably bought from the same guy. My rings fit exactily like you are describing.

[Jand3rson]

thats what I did...just put a lil glue on the inside rim on the cluster surround of the 2 larger gauges. works fine. no rattles

We probably bought from the same guy. My rings fit exactily like you are describing.

Glad I'm not the only one. :D For the price, and being one of the only sets I could find that were actually aluminum and not plastic, it's not a big deal.

[Jand3rson]

You guys that used the Zap/super glue must have had the plastic rings, because I just tried it, and it didn't work at all. The glue dried against the plastic of the shroud, but not the metal rings themselves.

So I pulled them back out, cleaned them off, and wrapped 2 layers of electrical tape around the mounting side of the rings, forced them in, and not even a wiggle. I tried to pull them back out, and they're in there solid.

[BeirBrennerE30]

i dunno... Mine were definately metal. Glue held fine but I used a lot of it

[JasonC]

I have the metal chrome ones in mine, they was a tight fit.

[Jand3rson]

i dunno... Mine were definately metal. Glue held fine but I used a lot of it

I was afraid to use a lot, for fear I might get it on the rings, which I did get a tiny little spot on one of them, but it's not very visible.

[golde30]

which seller did you buy from. im lookin to buy a set.

[gearheadE30]

I've got metal ones as well, and they had the same problem. I tried all manner of superglue, but it was too thin and didn't like the metal. The only think stuff I wad was Elmer's, so I tried that and it works great. Just don't mess with it until it is dry. Also, if it runs you can just scrape it off.

[Jand3rson]

which seller did you buy from. im lookin to buy a set.

Here's the ones I bought:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=007&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=170190496443&rd=1

And here's a pic of them installed in the cluster shroud (forgive my shitty grainy camera):

[BeirBrennerE30]

yeah that is the same guy!

[AndrewBird]

Looks good!

[BDSax]

looks good, but i hope you used high quality electrical tape. alot of it is so cheap it just stretches out and will come undone. unless you dont have a problem up in PNW because it doesnt get as hot as it does in florida