any tips on REMOVING instrument rings?

[klerk]

going to try and spray my very CHROME instrument rings with aluminum paint in an attempt to get more OEM with the look. removed the cluster and cover...and getting the rings out is proving to be tricky. the nice snug fit going in is now a bad thing. anyone ever removed rings before?

[JV]

Originally Posted by klerk

going to try and spray my very CHROME instrument rings with aluminum paint in an attempt to get more OEM with the look. removed the cluster and cover...and getting the rings out is proving to be tricky. the nice snug fit going in is now a bad thing. anyone ever removed rings before?

What year is your X, klerk?

If those rings aren't OEM, just use a flat tip screwdriver to gently and steadily push on them from the back side. I've done that a couple times, just be careful not to scratch the front of the rings which show through the gauge housing. A strong piece of plastic or the like would be best because of this.

JV, mutha effin Lord of the Rings

[klerk]

car is 2004 year. rings are NOT oem. wish me luck.

[statdoc]

Nothing a rubber mallet and a strong arm couldn't accomplish.

Unless you want the instrument cluster re-usable.

[klerk]

no way. the rings weren't going to budge. could visualize pushing so hard i cracked the cluster face. not worth it right now. the rings stay chrome. anyone that has luck getting their rings off please chime in. none of mine acted as if they were going to come out by pressing out with a screwdriver from behind.

[AutoXer]

I tried to get my ring off once also and had no luck either. I gave up too because I thought I was going to break the plastic if I tried any harder.

[powers1]

Have you tried a little oil on the inside lip of the ring?Applly it sparingly with your finger.If this doesnt work ,try a using a heat gun on the lowest setting.
Another option.Using a sharp pointed instrument,run it along the full circle of the rings(s)between the ring and the plastic of the cluster!This should do it????Good luck.
It would be a shame if you cant get them out,because your idea to spray them the same colour as the interior is original and it would look good.

[klerk]

won't heating the rings cause them to expand?

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasc...0/phy00741.htm

[klerk]

soif heat makes metal expand.....cooling should cause it to contract, right? what about running an icecube around the rings. anyone think that would be cold enough to pop them out more easily?

[BMW X5]

ok lets not get all einstein please ice is going to make the rings wet not cold unless you soak it in ice but just leave them chrome