How to remove instrument cluster

[nando]

I've done it many times and never had to remove the steering wheel. I don't think it actually makes it that much easier.

[JRKOUPE]

There's no need to remove your steering wheel, just pay attention to what you're doing. I have removed/installed several clusters and the steering wheel does not get in the way at all.. If you don't line up your steering wheel correctly you're going to need an alignment so you're probably better off with leaving it on. A few hard wiggles to the front bezel should pop it out. The only thing that is really brittle is the A tabs on the cluster. Just don't be an animal and you'll be alright

BMW Maniac said it already but I have to say it again:

how can u suggest an alignment if the steering wheel doesnt line up well?.....u should be banned for 30 days for that comment..lol.....sheesh.

[BMWManiac]

Make it easy....remove the steering wheel. If you don't line up your steering wheel, you DON'T get an alignment, you remove the steering wheel nut, readjust, and try again.....

[cgk_iii]

There's no need to remove your steering wheel, just pay attention to what you're doing. I have removed/installed several clusters and the steering wheel does not get in the way at all.. If you don't line up your steering wheel correctly you're going to need an alignment so you're probably better off with leaving it on. A few hard wiggles to the front bezel should pop it out. The only thing that is really brittle is the A tabs on the cluster. Just don't be an animal and you'll be alright

[megatron]

Also- make sure your turn signal stalk is centered before you put your wheel back- BONEHEAD move on my part- must have clicked it down during course of cluster removal- I pushed the wheel back on and snapped the tab off the turn signal assembly that cancels the signal! Swen.

+1. I broke mine also this way when replacing my odometer gears. Fortunately, there's an E30-specific used parts store near me, but it would have sucked if that wasn't there!

[Swendog]

Well done write up- I did mine last weekend. Definitely remove your steering wheel. Also- make sure your turn signal stalk is centered before you put your wheel back- BONEHEAD move on my part- must have clicked it down during course of cluster removal- I pushed the wheel back on and snapped the tab off the turn signal assembly that cancels the signal! Swen.

[Semblance]

I switched out my instrument cluster on my 1989 BMW E30 with one from the scrapyard that's rated in MPH instead of KPH. Everything was fine for a couple of days and now the gas guage is indicating full when I know it's 3/4. Any ideas as to why?

What year was the car you pulled it from? Earlies had only one gas level sender so the gas gauge expects a lower resistance to indicate full. Your 89 has two senders so the gauge reads full even at a lower resistance. Get the gauge from your old cluster and put it in the new one.

[kenjj]

I switched out my instrument cluster on my 1989 BMW E30 with one from the scrapyard that's rated in MPH instead of KPH. Everything was fine for a couple of days and now the gas guage is indicating full when I know it's 3/4. Any ideas as to why?

[CB-M3]

So I got everything out, replaced the gears, and put it back together. However, I think I forgot to connect the yellow plug on the cluster. What is the function of this? I'm not sure if I did or did not connect it.

http://www.rtsauto.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/e30-vdo-gear-repair-1.jpg

Found out it is for the OBC. I have a Euro clock so I don't think I need to hooked up.

http://zoso.no-ip.org/images/318i-OBC/08-parts.jpg

[CaliDazze]

I was being gentle because people mentioned everything is brittle. I just want to make sure there isn't another fastener or nut behind that center area before I try to yank it.

Nope. Just the two nuts from behind and the two pop-in tabs in the middle.

Ps: I realize this is my first post, but I removed my cluster yesterday afternoon.

[CB-M3]

...looks like the nuts are already removed.
That piece is tricky. You have to yank it pretty good to get it to snap out of there.

I've removed many of them. They are always challenging, but if it helps, I have never broken one during removal.

I was being gentle because people mentioned everything is brittle. I just want to make sure there isn't another fastener or nut behind that center area before I try to yank it.

[CB-M3]

Take out the two knurled nuts on each side and push in the threads.

The two knurled nuts are on the sides not in the middle. I already took those off. It hangs up on the cluster outer trim and the steering column.

[DRTSRFR]

...looks like the nuts are already removed.
That piece is tricky. You have to yank it pretty good to get it to snap out of there.

I've removed many of them. They are always challenging, but if it helps, I have never broken one during removal.

[3vilE30]

I could not get the front bezel piece off. There is no room to tilt this out to remove it. It hangs up on the steering column.

Take out the two knurled nuts on each side and push in the threads.

[CB-M3]

I could not get the front bezel piece off. There is no room to tilt this out to remove it. It hangs up on the steering column.