Tach and Speedometer Lens Replacement '72
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Tach and Speedometer Lens Replacement '72
Hello All,
Just wanted any advice from anyone who has replaced the lenses on their speedometer and tachometer. I have a '72 convertible and I'm going to replace the radio and dye the dash panels, so I thougth that I'd replace these lenses.
1. How hard is it to drop the steering wheel? Does the steering wheel need to be dropped in order to pull the driver's side dash pad?
2. Once the dash pad is dropped, what do I have to do to replace the lenses?
Any helpful tips would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Joe
Just wanted any advice from anyone who has replaced the lenses on their speedometer and tachometer. I have a '72 convertible and I'm going to replace the radio and dye the dash panels, so I thougth that I'd replace these lenses.
1. How hard is it to drop the steering wheel? Does the steering wheel need to be dropped in order to pull the driver's side dash pad?
2. Once the dash pad is dropped, what do I have to do to replace the lenses?
Any helpful tips would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Joe
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Once the driver's front panel is removed, it's easy to replace the lenses. The speedo and tach are screwed into bosses on the inside of the panel. Remove the speedo/tach and you'll be looking at the lens. The various Corvette parts houses sell them. At this juncture, the lenes are really easy to replace.
Getting the panel out ...and then back in is difficult. Yes you have to drop the steering wheel. You have to loosen it where it's bolted just behind the panel. Also, I think you can get some additional clearance by loosening it where it goes through the firewall.
When you first loosen the panel and pull it a couple of inches away from the dashboard, you have to reach inside and push a small button on the side of the headlight switch. This releases the **** which releases the panel from the headlight switch. You have to lay on your back to undo the tach and speedo cables. On some C3's they unscrew and on some C3's they're held on with a clip.
The plastic substrate of the panel is now, due to age, very brittle. If you do very much tugging or pulling on the panel there's a danger of cracking it. Do everything very gently.
Getting the panel out ...and then back in is difficult. Yes you have to drop the steering wheel. You have to loosen it where it's bolted just behind the panel. Also, I think you can get some additional clearance by loosening it where it goes through the firewall.
When you first loosen the panel and pull it a couple of inches away from the dashboard, you have to reach inside and push a small button on the side of the headlight switch. This releases the **** which releases the panel from the headlight switch. You have to lay on your back to undo the tach and speedo cables. On some C3's they unscrew and on some C3's they're held on with a clip.
The plastic substrate of the panel is now, due to age, very brittle. If you do very much tugging or pulling on the panel there's a danger of cracking it. Do everything very gently.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Originally Posted by 68/70Vette
Once the driver's front panel is removed, it's easy to replace the lenses. The speedo and tach are screwed into bosses on the inside of the panel. Remove the speedo/tach and you'll be looking at the lens. ... Do everything very gently.
http://home.woh.rr.com/mikemercury/pics/01sm.JPG
Last edited by Mike Mercury; Oct 5, 2005 at 07:28 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
All above advise is right on. 
One thing to add...make sure those new lenses are squeeky clean before you button it all up. No lint, dust, smudges, streaks, fingerprints etc...
Don't ask me how I know...
Eddie
One thing to add...make sure those new lenses are squeeky clean before you button it all up. No lint, dust, smudges, streaks, fingerprints etc...Don't ask me how I know...
Eddie
