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Subject: Gauge Ring Install enclosed....... Author: Magnum : member since January, 2004 : 3968 posts Posted on: 2005-08-28 22:09:30

Fun, Fun, Fun....Thanks for the skinny and the install help on these sealbeach740, I like 'em!!!!

Here's my .pdf file on this install.

This is what I am installing:



Here’s the tools you need available to do this job:



Here’s the bonding agent I chose, just to make sure a ring didn’t pop out one day:



Put the steering wheel all the way down and out:



Remove the two T-10 Torx screws at the top of the cluster:



Next, pry the top of the unit out. I used my set of Bavarian Auto’s plastic puller tool kit:



Put a cloth or towel on the top of the steering wheel casing and slide the cluster out. Next remove the 3 connectors on the rear of the cluster. Sorry no pics of the connectors, but it’s a tight fit…..



Pop this green cable holder out of its hole. Simply pinch and pull:



Here’s the back view of the cluster totally removed:



Here’s the [I ASSuME] tamper proof label. I simply sliced it.



Separating this thing is a bitch. I took needle nose pliers and twisted these “X” hooks to line them up with.




Then I took my plastic tool and pushed these clips while pulling:



I had best luck starting it at the bottom and working my way around the cluster in very small increments:



Here’s the cluster separated:



2 of the small rings installed. I just put a dab of adhesive to hold in place:



This was the difficult part, the plastic front does not separate, so I every so lightly bent the ring to slide it in and then when pushing it in place it seemed to round right back out. Again just a couple dabs of adhesive to attach:



Here’s a look at the back of the cluster cover with the rings installed. If you look around the back of the rings, you’ll see a very small groove, well this is where I applied more adhesive to make sure these rings stay in place for years to come:



Front view, rings installed….Make sure you clean off any finger prints:



Cluster back in case and ready to be re-installed:



Putting the cluster back in is cake…Plug the 3 connectors back up, insert the cluster back in place and tight up the screws:



Couple views of the cluster back in the car:



Another interior shot:



Bad pic, but I had it:



Close up completely installed. Everything works, NO lost pixel or lights so I call it a success:



I like these rings, they look really good….Glad I did it!!!

• Gauge Ring Install enclosed....... (pic) (url) - Magnum 2005-08-28 22:09:30 (13622 views)
  • Re: Gauge Ring Install enclosed....... (pic) - tigerbaumone 2005-08-29 19:13:00 (925 views)
  • Magnum, I'm still waiting on the.... - bmwvuk 2005-08-29 17:07:38 (455 views)
  • WOW, What a difference it makes! - Blue740i 2005-08-29 12:04:15 (382 views)
  • NICE!!! (nt) - GER_545SMG 2005-08-29 11:45:45 (290 views)
  • Great job... - Claudio 2005-08-29 10:24:08 (321 views)
    • Tools from Bav Auto. IMO, must have for the DIY'er...Why??? (url) - Magnum 2005-08-29 14:07:40 (442 views)
  • I want to buy your car :) Excellent work! (nt) - Gary 2005-08-29 10:08:33 (329 views)
  • Excellent job as usual Magnum, looks great! (nt) - Ultymte 2005-08-29 08:58:04 (265 views)
  • Looks goooood! Magnum, I guess I have to install mine when I get - txdarth 2005-08-29 08:35:53 (314 views)
    • By the way - I have a second set that I will not be installing.. - txdarth 2005-08-29 08:42:12 (328 views)
  • Fantastic job, and you make it look very easy! (nt) - silber98 2005-08-29 08:15:31 (324 views)
  • That's an intense amount of good work there. Need to go in the e38.org faq (pic) (url) - Steve R 2005-08-29 07:57:14 (585 views)
  • Sharpens up the clusters! Very nice Magnum (nt) - kingdom7 2005-08-29 04:58:55 (308 views)
  • great work, they look top shelf very nice, I have always liked your 7 (nt) - itsstock 2005-08-29 03:01:53 (300 views)
  • Excellent job, excellent post! Thanks for documenting - sealbeach740 2005-08-29 00:39:03 (264 views)
  • You know what would be really cool? (pic) - ED 2005-08-29 00:14:49 (785 views)
    • There is an M5 Cluster on E-Bay, $$ but easier switch (url) - sfcacique 2005-08-29 17:15:39 (543 views)
    • A few year have swapped clusters with the M5 -- it can be done... (nt) - Al 2005-08-29 10:20:34 (383 views)
  • Where did you get the rings and what was the cost? (nt) - DavidC 2005-08-28 23:31:30 (370 views)
    • Re: Where did you get the rings and what was the cost? - adamclagg 2005-08-29 20:36:24 (332 views)
    • ebay......$90ish with shipping. Link enclosed. (url) - Magnum 2005-08-28 23:48:26 (495 views)
      • These rings had a very snug fit. They are more like a bushing - sealbeach740 2005-08-29 00:57:07 (303 views)
      • No problem. The image link has been fixed. (nt) - DavidC 2005-08-29 00:10:29 (322 views)
  • Nice! (nt) - Socal7s Erik 2005-08-28 22:39:32 (276 views)
  • Sweet, I like the look. Did you lay your cell on the wood trim!!! (nt) - dwightf 2005-08-28 22:14:48 (381 views)
    • All the time, look at pic #4 and you can see the non-slip - Magnum 2005-08-28 22:20:14 (381 views)
    • : ) I knlow what you mean. I get a little T.O'ed when my dad puts his sunglasses (nt) - on there. What is the best stuff to clean it?-ED 2005-08-28 22:19:51 (353 views)