Red gauge needles......

[nando]

I did that when I did mine, and I won't do it again. I don't think I got any of them back to their exact original positions. And it's too damn easy to fuck up and ruin them.

agreed. taping is far easier. it's not hard to do the MPG needle either.

[JasonC]

I used a fork to pull my needles out. But i bent one when i put it back in . Good thing i had extras. The first cluster i did i used a bright orange paint, then a red sharpie on the next one (i don't think it looked as good). I painted the needles with a GM bright red in my current cluster. This next cluster i'm going to try to find a brighter red then that GM red.

[bimmer_E30]

well i kind of fucked my rpm needle. it used to idle at 600rpm , now it idles at 400rpm lol.

[h82crash]

thanks man. so do i have to get a pre 87 7k tach to work with my 85 325e?

Some of the articles are not exact for the cluster years but if you take apart your cluster and the code chip looks the same as the one from your 7k tach then it will work. I read an article that said if the back of your cluster is blue then you need to swap from another blue cluster and that is not true. My cluster is white and the tach came from a blue cluster and works perfectly. If you have motometer then it probably should be swapped from another motometer but I have also read that VDO parts work. I don't know if that's true cause I haven't tried to interchange those.

[bimmer_E30]

thanks man. i will post a pic of the back of my cluster:D

[SamE30e]

Ya know, if ya just remove like nine screws in the back, the cluster comes out of the housing and you don't have to pry the plastic off. But I guess you needed to for those chrome rings. While you had it out you coulda installed a 7k tach!

Looks good, though.

He has an ETA, doesn't rev past 5.

[h82crash]

He has an ETA, doesn't rev past 5.

And...?

[gearheadE30]

I did the same thing a while ago. I used some random RC car flat red paint that looks wonderful. The needles will come off of the little hubs they are on so that there is no risk of damage, incorrect reinstallation, or overspray. There are small crips on the back side. Pry them open and teh needles will fall off. Stick them on toothpicks, pint them, let dry, and crimp back on. Doesn't take long at all.

[MikeK]

good write up. im going to have to do this with my spare cluster.

[bimmer_E30]

no problem.

[bimmer_E30]

will be doing this next weekend lol..thanks bimmer_e30

[slow e30]

note: use one, steady, slow stroke. dont paint little pieces all the way down.
note 2: prep makes perfect.
note 3: patience. my clear cover slipped and some glue touched the inside of the gauge pod.

did mine today, its not PERFECT but if you were to remove my steering wheel and look in, you can find a flaw.