center cluster removal
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
center cluster removal
Starting the job of replacing the stereo in my car and want to do a reality check. I have the rt. hand lower dash pad off and am carefully removing the screws in the center guage bezel. Do I need to remove the shift console to get the guage bezel and stereo out? I may do so anyway to insulate under there but my guage bezel is not cracked (yet) and I would like to keep it that way. Thanks in advance. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Behind the wheel of a large automobile
Re: center cluster removal (R. Bruno)
You don't have to completely remove it but you will have to detach it from the tunnel. Don't force anything, I had never done this before and managed to get it out without breaking. I managed to remove the gauge bezel and console in one piece. Now that's talent ..... :lol:
If you get in a jam... IM me.
If you get in a jam... IM me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: center cluster removal (R. Bruno)
R. Bruno,
You don't need to remove the console. The only difficulty you may have are hidden studs/nuts on the bottom of the cluster, that hold it to the console, Those are supposed to be a bitch to get to. Fortunately, in my case a previous owner had been there before, and had the good sense not to put those nuts back...
-Pedro
You don't need to remove the console. The only difficulty you may have are hidden studs/nuts on the bottom of the cluster, that hold it to the console, Those are supposed to be a bitch to get to. Fortunately, in my case a previous owner had been there before, and had the good sense not to put those nuts back...
-Pedro
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Re: center cluster removal (Pedro'74)
Thanks guys. I have the top loose and uncracked :D. I can see those studs on the bottom of the cluster and think the nuts have been left off. My car has an aftermarket custom auto sound radio made to fit the Vette (Junk!) Did you guys remove the radio first? The manual is unclear on this point. Also, what about the guages themselves. Are they attached in some way to the bezel or does the bezel just pull away as suggested in the manual?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,653
Likes: 6
From: North Royalton, OH
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Re: center cluster removal (R. Bruno)
It makes it easier to remove the radio first, if you have the room. I would guess with the aftermarket stereo you can slide it out from the back. The shop manual instructs you to take the radio out first, pressing in all the buttons to clear the guage bezel. The gauges are attached to the bezel, and they are all wired tight. When you get to the point of pulling the bezel, pull forward slowly, then reach back behind and unplug all your wires. It's a good time to mark where they came from, too! I believe there are four hex head bolts that hold the guages on - easy to remove when you get the cluster out. Good luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Behind the wheel of a large automobile
Re: center cluster removal (R. Bruno)
Once you have the console / bezel loose, you can easily get the radio out. Remove the ***** and wire harness and antenna and "back" it out the passenger side. The aguges will be in there own housing which can be separated from the bezel by 4 screws? This is a good time to clean your lens and replace and deteriorating foam seals. Be carefull when you separate the bezel from the cluster, note the positioning of the "door ajar" and other warning lights.
[Modified by 75Rag, 10:10 PM 9/6/2002]
[Modified by 75Rag, 10:10 PM 9/6/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: center cluster removal (75Rag)
This is a good time to clean your lens and replace and deteriorating foam seals.
-Pedro
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Twin Lake MI
Re: center cluster removal (R. Bruno)
Center cluster: I can now get mine out blindfolded after taking out and putting in about 6 times this week.
I also had it out a few years ago. On mine all the wires with the exception of one small plug
are on a large wire socket that plugs into the back of cluster. The large plug was giving me fits as
it makes contact with the printed circut board and I was losing my ground on oil pressure guage.
Mine is a 79 so it may not be the same as yours. Just a hint, if you take it out, take it in house
and on kitchen table take all the screws out of the back so as to clean front bezel. Then take off
the clock and use a small screwdriver and needle nose pliers to take off back of clock housing.
You first have to take out miniture screw in clock ****. Then take mechanism back out to garage
and spray with WD40. Shake off excess and take back to kitchen table and put back together.
Your clock will run for another 25 or so years. Steve
I also had it out a few years ago. On mine all the wires with the exception of one small plug
are on a large wire socket that plugs into the back of cluster. The large plug was giving me fits as
it makes contact with the printed circut board and I was losing my ground on oil pressure guage.
Mine is a 79 so it may not be the same as yours. Just a hint, if you take it out, take it in house
and on kitchen table take all the screws out of the back so as to clean front bezel. Then take off
the clock and use a small screwdriver and needle nose pliers to take off back of clock housing.
You first have to take out miniture screw in clock ****. Then take mechanism back out to garage
and spray with WD40. Shake off excess and take back to kitchen table and put back together.
Your clock will run for another 25 or so years. Steve
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