Cluster Rings Install Advice!

[EKS PYB]

For the life of me, I couldn't get the cluster to separate from the back and front pieces.

I've been able to turn the center X screw and push it in with no problems but the 4 screws on the outside are almost bent, ripped, smashed and I just couldn't get them to go in...been doing this for over 3 hours now.

Anybody has any advice on how they did it? after all, I only have 2 hand and i'm supposed to push 5 screws in at the same time.

Any advice would be much appreciated. It's not like I haven't taken a cluster apart before. I did that with my Eclipse way back with no problems but then again, I didn't have to push 5 screws in at the same time.

From a newbie who's trying to keep up with some EASY mods that most of you say and I believe it is easy...just taking this darn cluster apart is killing me.

So please, please, please any of you X5 Wizards out there...help a poor fellow out, will yah...

thanks in advance

[EKS PYB]

anyone in socal wanna show a newbie some new tricks? i'll buy you boba? beer?

anyone?

anyone?

[tijanaw]

PM JV, he's the LOTR.

[AutoXer]

Or try Bozo, he did it too! It's a trick. Turn the tabs pass where they are suppose to go and they will spring back a little and be in perfect position. I opened up one end, put something there to hold it so that it does not spring back, then work the other side. Good luck.

[asawadude]

You're probably feeling as if you need 7 hands to do the job - 2 hands to hold on to the cluster and 5 hands to turn each of the twist locks.

Here's a trick that I used. Use popsicle sticks to help separate the cover from the housing.

As AutoXer stated, when twisting the + fasteners, they will stay twisted for a while before eventually returning to their original positions. The secret is to work on one side at a time and use the popsicle sticks.

Starting with the top, twist the two top + fasteners and the middle + fastener to the open positions, and quickly pop the two latches on top to separate the cluster from the housing just enough to wedge the two popsicle sticks into the gap. This prevents the cluster from re-latching to the cover and it allows you to focus on the remaining two bottom fasteners.

Flipping the unit over and repeating the steps on the two bottom + fasterners and the middle + fastener should allow the gauge cluster to be completely separated from the housing.

Do not use a screwdriver or a some other type of sharp object to wedge between the cover and the cluster case. It could come into contact with the instrument face and cause a scratch. A popsicle stick is soft enough to not cause scratches.

Hope this helps.

[lezmtaylor]

Yes that's the answer, in the uk I grab all my grandchildrens lollypop when they have finished with them and keep them for all sort of jobs.
I separated my instrument panel exactly as you described.
Lez

[EKS PYB]

thanks for all the awesome tips...i will surely try them and will keep you posted. hopefully, I will be able to take some pics and show you guys that I did it too... : )

[BruinMan]

It is a pain in the butt; just do what Mike says. You do need to grab the sides and pull hard. I had to open mines so many times; like dirt, dust, and finger prints found after I closed them. Bummer is that I got some on unwanted glue and need to open it again. Grrrr.

[EKS PYB]

awwww bruinman, you're making me hate you...you being able to open it over and over again. i just pray i can open it once to even put the rings on there.

do you think i can come over and you can tell me how to do it with me doing all the hard labor. i just need someone to guide me i guess.

just a thought!

[BruinMan]

maybe