How to REMOVE chrome cluster rings

[NextGen]

This past weekend I installed some chrome rings in my cluster. These are the snap on kind. I purchased them from bavautowerks on ebay. The rings look really nice. However after installing I noticed a small chip on one. I have decided to replace it. I attempted to remove the ring but no luck. I am thinking about trying to squeeze a small screwdriver between the ring and the cluster but I am afraid that the screwdriver (metal) will dig into the cluster (plastic). Anyone have a good idea on how to remove a ring?

I am thinking about breaking out my Dremal and very carefully cut it off. However that is a last ditch effort. I also emailed bavautowerks to get their opinion on how to remove one.

I would post a picture of it but it really looks no different than the many other pictures of this mod on this board.

[rayxi]

I briefly considered trying to remove mine in order to attempt putting on a "brushed" finished instead of polished but decided it couldn't be done without destroying the rings or the gauge face. If you are replacing it anyway try using mini side cutting pliers on the rings. I'd lay down some masking tape over the gauge face around where you are cutting just in case.

G/L

[BlackE32_SilverE53]

I would be very careful with cutting the ring off because getting the flakes out the cluster may be an even larger nightmare. But never imagined it would be tough to get them out...

Possible solution would be to find a doner cluster face from a junkyard, granted you can convince them to just let you take the front half. Cost of may be more than worth if you take the complete cluster

[flyingmachine]

Originally Posted by NextGen

This past weekend I installed some chrome rings in my cluster. These are the snap on kind. I purchased them from bavautowerks on ebay. The rings look really nice. However after installing I noticed a small chip on one. I have decided to replace it. I attempted to remove the ring but no luck. I am thinking about trying to squeeze a small screwdriver between the ring and the cluster but I am afraid that the screwdriver (metal) will dig into the cluster (plastic). Anyone have a good idea on how to remove a ring?

I am thinking about breaking out my Dremal and very carefully cut it off. However that is a last ditch effort. I also emailed bavautowerks to get their opinion on how to remove one.

I would post a picture of it but it really looks no different than the many other pictures of this mod on this board.

why can't you squeeze the ring a bit from the back and then insert a card like stuff into the gap. then gently push it out. I remember the rings are pretty flexible. That's how I squeezed the larger rings to the front side without cutting anything.

[NextGen]

Originally Posted by rayxi

I briefly considered trying to remove mine in order to attempt putting on a "brushed" finished instead of polished but decided it couldn't be done without destroying the rings or the gauge face. If you are replacing it anyway try using mini side cutting pliers on the rings. I'd lay down some masking tape over the gauge face around where you are cutting just in case.

G/L

My wife pointed out that the chrome just seemed out of place. She suggested a "brushed" look would be better also. I have to agree. Thanks for the pliers suggestion.

[NextGen]

Originally Posted by BlackE32_SilverE53

I would be very careful with cutting the ring off because getting the flakes out the cluster may be an even larger nightmare. But never imagined it would be tough to get them out...

Possible solution would be to find a doner cluster face from a junkyard, granted you can convince them to just let you take the front half. Cost of may be more than worth if you take the complete cluster

Good points. If they won't come off easy then I may just cough up the dough and get another cluster and consider it a lesson learned. An expensive lesson learned.

[NextGen]

Originally Posted by flyingmachine

why can't you squeeze the ring a bit from the back and then insert a card like stuff into the gap. then gently push it out. I remember the rings are pretty flexible. That's how I squeezed the larger rings to the front side without cutting anything.

It is strange. I also had to squeeze the larger rings to get them in. But once they snap into place, they are in there very tight. I tried squeezing a real thin screwdriver in there but no go. I mean it is almost as if the factory put them there (from that standpoint, I guess it makes it a good product).

If I can figure out how to get them off without any damage, I'll be sure to come back and share.

[NextGen]

I was able to remove them. This technique will damage the rings but it should allow you to remove them without damaging your cluster.

For the large rings I find that they can be removed with a needle nose plier. I was able to grab the ring and twist it out.

The smaller rings took a little more work. I ended up using a dremal to cut them. The key here is to only cut enough so that you can work it out. Do not cut all the way through or you run the risk of cutting your cluster (which I did on one of them, very small nick that can't be seen from the front).

Dremal tool


The needle nose plier was able to grab on to the end of the ring because they extend out further than the cluster. Your rings may be different.




I have decided that this mod is not for me at this time. The chrome just didnt' match anything else in the interior. It's kinda funny because I really like the bling styling. Maybe I will come back to this mod in the future.