attempted to do the cluster repair... fail. I need some advice.

[asma123]

Hi, so I attempted to do the pixelation repair on my cluster and when attempting to remove the temp needle I slipped and pulled the spring in the stepper motor.
I'm wondering if I replace this spring will it work again or will the whole stepper motor need to be replaced?

IF I were to send the cluster out for repair would I encounter the tampered dot or would it be straight forward and just plug it in? (would the mileage I accumulated in the days that I sent the cluster out, would it update to the mileage it should be or remain at the mileage it was when it was sent out?)
Some advice would be appreciated

[tmv]

I wonder what procedure you are using that requires the needle removed. I did 3 repairs and never have to remove the needles. I did have to drill the holes in the cluster. They won't be seen after fully assembled.
If you send the cluster out to have it repair, try to limit the driving whenever you can. You have about 100 miles or so, without triggering the tamper dot.

[Ricky Bobby]

I paid the $110 last year to have my pixels repaired in the cluster by a local guy (Concrete Donkey) and am fully satisfied, my shaky ass alcoholic hands cannot be steady enough for the tiny holes you have to drill to replace the ribbon.

[asma123]

I wish I had known about drilling the holes.. most guides I saw showed how to do it but with the needles already removed..needless to say 5 minutes after the screw up I find a guide that shows the drilling of the holes. Just my luck I guess.