gauge covers, cant get mine back on

[ponyboy]

I have been wrestling with the glass and rings of my rpm and speedometer gauge. I cant get them back on. I did notice I could assemple the ring, backing ring and glass and get them to lock before trying to put it in the gauge, but man it seems like they just dont want to go in. What a "finnicky" design. My car is a 1970 2002. I have the gauges with the steel on them..

Help anyboy?

Thanx, Pony Boy

[Zenon]

Are you having trouble getting the glass back into the housing, or the gauges themselves back into the housing?

For the glass, support the outer trim ring from its front to make sure it is all the way against the housing's face, then insert the glass making sure it drops in properly centered, then the metal inner ring. The inner metal ring needs to be pressed firmly against the glass as you rotate it to lock it in so that the glass won't rattle. I use a very small socket on an extension and hit it sideways with light hammer taps to firmly but carefully set the ring, alternating between the two tabs to be sure the force is evenly applied. The idea is the socket fits around the tab so that it does not slip off.

At least for the speedo, you have to line up the trip odometer reset knob before it will sit down into the cluster housing properly. You also have to install the temp/fuel gauge first, then speedo, then tach since they overlap.

Hope this helps.

regard,

Zenon

[ponyboy]

I think this could help, but my situation is, Im trying to put them in from the outside with the gauge cluster already in dash.. Is it possible? They cam out ok with some tlc....

[BLUNT]

I think this could help, but my situation is, Im trying to put them in from the outside with the gauge cluster already in dash.. Is it possible? They cam out ok with some tlc....

sorry man but this made me chuckle. no you need to take that cluster and dismantle it. even dismantled its a touchy job. i put a dab of hot glue on the back side out of sight to assure id have no rattles

[ponyboy]

hehe, yeah it does kinda sound funny huh... Ok thanx! Ill do that...

, Pony

[jpcapoc]

Hey Pony Boy, I just put in my speedo right after you left, I could have showed you!

I didn't think it was possible to do this without removing the instrument cluster.

The suggestion with the glue was a good one, I used a couple of drops of crazy glue to anchor the glass - no rattles!

[ponyboy]

very cool! Man I should have asked you about that. Im gonna use the glue technique too

Thanx, Lance