Gauge Cluster Lens glass removal

[Nick.Hay]

How do I do it??

How can I remove the lens from the dash shroud to fit my Carbon Fibre dash facia and chrome rings??

[Qube]

Gentle persuasian. Push carefully and don't crack the lens. If you have a heatgun, apply a TINY amount of heat to assist.

[Nick.Hay]

::Qube...

The E34 Oracle!!

Nice one my friend!! :D

[Qube]

It WILL crack... and sound like the thing will shatter when yer doing it. Look at mine... you'll see some bits left on the sides. That's all fine as long as the actual front stays intact. Takes some balls to get it out.

http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?t=16564

[Nick.Hay]

It DID crack!!

Bastard!!

Gotta try and get another one now, before registration check on Tues!!

[Qube]

It DID crack!!

Bastard!!

Gotta try and get another one now, before registration check on Tues!!

Didn't I say it WILL crack and go slow? If you go slow enough it will just crack around the outer edges... if you go fast, the face may crack. What happened? Did you use heat?

[Nick.Hay]

I cracked it trying to remove it cold... with a screwdriver!! :/

Just ordered another one, so I'll go easy on the replacement!!

My mate separated his Skyline headlights by heating them in the oven. On about 160deg C for 18 minutes. I'll try that method, as I don't have a heatgun.

How did you fit the chrome rings?? Just glue them to the facia??

[Nick.Hay]

Just bought a replacement cluster lens out of a wrecked E34...

$145AUD!!!

They are $450AUD from the dealer!!

Note to anyone toying with the idea of fitting a Carbon bezel and chrome rings: BE CAREFUL!! This has been a very expensive exercise!!

[Qube]

Yeah, once you fit the carbon in, the rings no longer snap. CAREFULLY dab some glue to hold it into place. CAREFULLY! You want to ensure your needles will clear... and that you don't accidentally glue the needles! :)

[Ross]

That will buy a whole E34 in the UK.
I have a spare cluster I was going to offer you but figured the shipping to Oz would kill you.
450 bux!, jeez man why so friggin much? I'm not familiar with the exchange rate but I can't imagine it's that different than USD.
Sorry for your pain bud.

[Nick.Hay]

$450aud = 190GBP (roughly)

Yessss.... an expensive lesson in patience!!

[BigKriss]

I fit both of those items on my cluster okay. I didn't break anything though. I had this yucky black goop on the rings :(

[Nick.Hay]

How did you get the lens out of the cluster?? Heat and patience?? I really don't want to break another one, but it seems a shame to have these rings and facia just lying around and not being used!!

[BigKriss]

I didn't remove the plastic lens. I just fit it through the speedo and tacho holes and put the cf on that way. the rings i did the procedure too.