Metal Gauge Rings - Install experience?

[David D]

Just got my X5 a few weeks ago and am already planning mods. I want to install chrome gauge rings, and have searched the boards, but cannot find a definitive answer on installing the metal rings. My preference is for metal for durability (no warping). Anyone have experience to share installing the metal type? Any good experiences with a particular vendor?

David

[rayxi]

A search on "gauge rings" got me lots of threads, some of which were DIY's. It's been a very long time since I did mine so I don't remember which one I used. Fairly simple if you use the credit card trick.

[David D]

Thanks for the reply. I have searched quite a bit, but no joy. I don't anticipate any problems actually removing the gauge cluster as it looks pretty straightforward, but I've read about people having problems getting the large rings through the openings once the cluster is out. I've read about heating the plastic rings to make them more pliable so you can squeeze them through the openings, but haven't been able to find how the metal ones get installed. Perhaps you can separate the clear face from the rest of the gauge cluster and install from the front? Any ideas?

David

[rayxi]

Did you read this one?
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...tallation.html

See my post #38 in that thread.

[PersonaNonGrata]

The most difficult part for most people is opening the gauge pod. There are some strange fasteners that take some fiddling to get open. Other than that, the installation is easy. Depending on which rings you get, you might need to do some filing or sanding on the rings to get them to fit. I got some aluminum rings from eBay and all four needs a little filing on the inside to get them to snap on the gauges.

[David D]

So, the fit is close enough that gently squeezing the rings is enough to fit them through the holes?

[PersonaNonGrata]

Originally Posted by David D

So, the fit is close enough that gently squeezing the rings is enough to fit them through the holes?

I think I am understanding your question but the rings don't go through the holes. They slip over the black plastic ring around that gauges. It's more that they snap on rather than fitting "through the holes".

I wouldn't squeeze the rings either. They are usually made from aluminum or plastic and you could bend or snap the ring. Like I stated, my aluminum rings just had to be fitted with some filing and gentle fitting.

This is very close to what I got. It's the same seller but it appears the rings are now plastic.

[Helmuth]

Just as a heads up: I ordered the plastic rings but they were so twisted that I have returned them and ordered Aluminium ones. You really need to squeeze them through the hole for mounting. But that is the easy part. Opening the cluster is somehow tricky if you do not have 4-6 hands :-)

some infos here: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ome-rings.html