Quote:
Originally Posted by wyatth
Just ordered a boring spec. Black, MPH only, illuminated M, 8500 redline. Not really looking forward to the install.  |
Protect the back of the leather steering wheel with a towel. Adjust the wheel down and toward you.
It is very easy to scratch the plastic when removing the two T10 screws. Need lots of light to find the screws. Protect the plastic with your fingers and BOTH hands. I have a tiny ratchet with bits from Wiha.
Don't use metal tools anywhere on the instrument cluster. Try your fingers to take it apart, after removing the T20 screws.
Protect the clear plastic window when handling it. Don't bother cleaning it...you will scratch it anyway. You should be able to separate the clear plastic window from the black frame. It is lightly glued in place. Never touch the inside of the black surround with your fingers. Soft black plastic matte finish mars and scratches easily. Separating the clear window isn't necessary, but an option when working inside the car, if the gauges needles are off.
Use gloves when handling the old and new gauges, to avoid stains from your fingers messing up the new gauges. Use a tissue to press the new gauges down with no bubbles (vinyl is thick and flat).
Use two plastic spoons to remove the needles. No sharp metal tools ever!!
Get 2 extra spoons and cut the handles off to work inside the car.
You can mark 12 o'ciock and 6 o'clock with tape and a marker to help align the new gauges. But because there are two holes in the gauges it is easy to center to 12 o'clock. I cut out a slit between these two holes in the back peel off to align the sticker and allow some readjusting, if necessary. Then take off the entire peel off backing.
Old gauges come off easily with a blow dryer. Clean the clear plastic with alcohol to remove any glue.
You could bend a paper clip to see if you can use it as a hook to remove the needles while inside the car.
Paperclip has to be thin and plastic coated (or wrapped in tape).
You have to plug in the open cluster to check the needle zero positions.
If they are off, you have to pull off the needle, turn the start/stop on/off, reinsert the needle, and retest.
It might help filling the gas tank to full...as a way to make sure the fuel gauge needle is at zero to max when the car is off and on.
After you are done, perform the dancing needles KI Test to make sure the needles are zeroed correctly.
It is a very easy mod, takes a lot of patience, and might require a second try to zero the needles. Great results are guaranteed. Such a classy mod that you can enjoy every time you look down.
You need the grey gauge faces...too. CSL like. Breaks up all the black in the interior. Sell them if you don't like them.
Cheers