Chrome gauge rings install question

[TahoeM3]

Is there some trick to disengaging the plastic clips on the back of the instrument cluster to get it open? I know this doesnt seem that complicated, but I used a pair of needle-nose pliers and was only able to get one of them (the center one) disengaged before I finally gave up on it. All of the others would NOT push down or stay in an "unlocked" position. Is this easier than I'm making it? I'm thinking my pliers are a little too wide and are preventing me from pushing the clip down once I turn it, so I'll get a new set this afternoon. Any other tips/suggestions?

[statdoc]

I thought it was a gigantic pain in the butt!! I struggled with getting all them open for a good 20 minutes. Felt like I needed 4 hands. I am sure I wasn't doing it the easy way, either.

[AutoXer]

It is a little tricky. I used a needle nose plier to make sure the plastic crossed tabs were aligned. Then I used a flat head screwdriver to push down on the two clips on top. The top then came partially open. Then I worked on the bottom.

The problem comes in when I start to work on the bottom, the top closes up. I had to keep working at it and eventually everything comes apart. A little trickly, but be persistent and it should open up.

Just a hint also, I used a hair dryer to heat up the plastic to expand it, then the chrome ring fits in nicely so I did not have to shave any plastic off. Good luck.

[JV]

Originally Posted by AutoXer

It is a little tricky. I used a needle nose plier to make sure the plastic crossed tabs were aligned. Then I used a flat head screwdriver to push down on the two clips on top. The top then came partially open. Then I worked on the bottom.

The problem comes in when I start to work on the bottom, the top closes up. I had to keep working at it and eventually everything comes apart. A little trickly, but be persistent and it should open up.

Just a hint also, I used a hair dryer to heat up the plastic to expand it, then the chrome ring fits in nicely so I did not have to shave any plastic off. Good luck.

AutoXer is right on.

You have to turn those + tabs so that they are going to not impede the cluster from coming apart. No pushing on them is necessary, they won't actually recede into the slots, they are simply there to keep it together. When they are turned correctly with needlenose pliers, then you use the flat head to open the 2 platic tabs on the top and bottom, and get a good grip on it and it pops apart. My hand is big enough to hold the cluster in my hand like palming a basketball, therefore maybe it's easier for me to open, but it can be done.

I'd recommend sitting down to do this cluster disassembly. Put your cluster on a large cloth or towel on a flat surface and get some good lighting and you're all set.

JV BKA LOTR

[TahoeM3]

Originally Posted by JVZ104

AutoXer is right on.

You have to turn those + tabs so that they are going to not impede the cluster from coming apart. No pushing on them is necessary, they won't actually recede into the slots, they are simply there to keep it together. When they are turned correctly with needlenose pliers, then you use the flat head to open the 2 platic tabs on the top and bottom, and get a good grip on it and it pops apart. My hand is big enough to hold the cluster in my hand like palming a basketball, therefore maybe it's easier for me to open, but it can be done.

I'd recommend sitting down to do this cluster disassembly. Put your cluster on a large cloth or towel on a flat surface and get some good lighting and you're all set.

JV BKA LOTR

The problem is that they pop right back to their original position unless you actually get the tabs receded into the slots. In other words, I had one hand holding tight with the pliers to try to keep the tab in the correct position (they are fighting back to pop back into locking position), one hand holding the screwdriver that has the side tabs depressed, and I really need a 3rd hand to try to separate the edges of the two pieces of plastic. Quite a challenge.

The way you describe it, you can just turn the tabs into "unlocked" position and they just stay there, but that's definitely not the case on mine...unless I'm missing something.

[JV]

Originally Posted by TahoeM3

The problem is that they pop right back to their original position unless you actually get the tabs receded into the slots. In other words, I had one hand holding tight with the pliers to try to keep the tab in the correct position (they are fighting back to pop back into locking position), one hand holding the screwdriver that has the side tabs depressed, and I really need a 3rd hand to try to separate the edges of the two pieces of plastic. Quite a challenge.

The way you describe it, you can just turn the tabs into "unlocked" position and they just stay there, but that's definitely not the case on mine...unless I'm missing something.

You don't actually turn them like a screw, they kinda twist or bend. We on the same page with that description?

JV

[statdoc]

Yes, I turned them both directions, hoping they would get to some sort of "unlocked" position, without success. I finally managed to get it all done, but getting the + tabs all open, and the locking tabs pushed in, all at the same time, was tough!

[JV]

Ok, I am not sure what's going on with the gauge clusters on your specific vehicles, but twisting the + tabs was perhaps the easiest part of the whole deal for me, save for removing the cluster itself.

Doc, I'm surprised at you. Don't tell me I'm better at "Operation" than you are! I took a combat medic course in Ranger school but that was nothin!

Maybe BMW or VDO makes a tool which matches the configuration of those tabs? Anyone know?

JV

[statdoc]

Yeah, I don't know what was wrong. I kept hearing a buzz and a red light flashed, whenever the needlenose pliers touched the side.

[JV]

Originally Posted by statdoc

Yeah, I don't know what was wrong. I kept hearing a buzz and a red light flashed, whenever the needlenose pliers touched the side.