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Subject: Dressing up the instrument cluster with metal gauge rings Author: DavidC (moderator) : member since December, 2003 : 12116 posts Posted on: 2007-01-04 05:46:28

Here's the set of steel gauge rings that I purchased on ebay (seller sieferttom). The price was $24.99 and the quality appears to be very good. They're made of steel and are polished on one side.

I found it necessary to remove the steering wheel in order to get the instrument cluster out of the dash. Doing so is very easy. Just use a Torx T-27 bit to remove the two screws holding the airbag in the steering wheel, then use a 17mm socket to remove the steering wheel from the column.

I didn't bother disconnecting the car battery, but I was careful not to put the key in the ignition until everything was re-assembled lest I cause the SRS airbag light to illuminate, which would require a computer reset tool or a trip to the local dealer service dept.


With the steering wheel out of the way, remove the two philips screws along the top of the instrument cluster, then tilt it out of the dash. After that, you'll be able to release the four wiring connectors on the back and move the cluster over to your workbench.


Once the instrument cluster is out of the car, start by pulling off the two buttons from the face of the display.


Remove the six philips screws.


Lift the front cover away from the body of the cluster.


Here's what it looks like on the inside.


Push the ring through the back of the plastic housing. You'll have to squeeze the ring a bit to get it through, but it won't deform. Take care to insert the ring with the polished side facing outward.


I used regular Crazy Glue to secure the rings to the plastic. I dabbed a bit of glue directly on the edge of the plastic hole at the 12-o'clock, 3-o'clock, 6-o'clock and 9-o'clock positions, taking care not to smear any onto the face of the instrument housing. After that, I laid the ring into position and held it in place for about a minute to let the glue set. Using plastic gloves ensured that I didn't get fingerprints all over the inside of the clear plastic cover.


Here's how it looked after the rings were glued in and the instrument cluster housing was re-assembled. Pretty nice, I'd say!



And, here are shots of it installed back into the dash.

David Cecil

'97 740iL, 155k miles
'92 750iL, 88k miles
'86 735i, 101k miles

Visit e38.org for everything technical about your BMW

• Dressing up the instrument cluster with metal gauge rings (pic) (url) - DavidC 2007-01-04 05:46:28 (7669 views)
  • Re: Speedo problem - louieb 2007-01-23 11:52:23 (261 views)
  • I have a similar write up on my site, except I didn't have 2 use glue - Logun 2007-01-04 10:49:06 (339 views)
    • That would've been easier! (nt) - DavidC 2007-01-04 15:55:58 (342 views)
      • not sure about that. I wasn't sure they were gonna fit (More) - Logun 2007-01-04 16:40:50 (332 views)
  • Wow! That's REAL NICE David!! Good job! (nt) - bcweir 2007-01-04 09:37:12 (273 views)
    • Nice write up/info use Latex gloves for this dirty job...Ha Ha Ha!!! (nt) - slydon 2007-01-04 17:47:15 (247 views)