[Nick3356]

Hey everyone..
I was take apart my instrument cluster today to install something new. When I got everything apart, my last thing was to take off the window/glass on it. I tried and tried to pull it apart, but no luck. It looks like it is "molded" in or stuck to the outer black cluster housing by some kind of adhesive?? :dunno:

I heard from my buddy who has an '02 E46 M3, that his glass just "drops" right out with no problem. Hmmm..

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[russ330]

I had 2 or 4 (can't remember) little torx head screws holding mine in place. Once I took those out it dropped right down. :dunno: Maybe I'm talking about something else.

 

[budman]

http://www.e46fanatics.com/howto/howtodetail.php?howto_id=26 This didnt help? I havent done it yet, but am going to be a few weeks..so let us know how it turns out..

 

[Nick3356]

http://www.e46fanatics.com/howto/howtodetail.php?howto_id=26 This didnt help? I havent done it yet, but am going to be a few weeks..so let us know how it turns out..

Thanks bro, but no, that's not what I'm talking about, unfortunately.
I already actually installed my NR Auto overlay guage and used that DIY link!

But I'm talking about doing all that is in that link in terms of taking out the cluster, but I mean when your done, you'll have 3 pieces:
-Actual gauges/electronic board
-A black "back-piece" that fits behind the electronic circuit board
-The black oval instrument cluster housing that has your chrome/silver gauge rings WITH the glass/window attached

It is this last piece that I need to seperate, the glass from the housing piece.

Hope this makes better sense! Thanks...

 

[audiophilia]

Lexan cover is permanantly attached, I'm afraid. Many a E46er has come to grief trying to pry that thing off!

It was because of my ham fistedness with super glue and that unmovable cover that my saga with the E46 cluster took place...lots in search, I would think.

Hope that helps.

 

[Nick3356]

Lexan cover is permanantly attached, I'm afraid. Many a E46er has come to grief trying to pry that thing off!

It was because of my ham fistedness with super glue and that unmovable cover that my saga with the E46 cluster took place...lots in search, I would think.

Hope that helps.

Damn, thanks bro...Yea, my glass is on there, and it's not coming off w/o busting it :sad:

Oh well, if anyone else has had any luck, please let me know!

 

[cowmoo32]

Just wondering, what exactly were you wanting to do to it?

 

[bradleyg]

Mine was glued in permantently...noticed that when I put my silver guage rings in.

Yeah- why do you need it removed?

 

[Yellowmann]

Damn, thanks bro...Yea, my glass is on there, and it's not coming off w/o busting it :sad:

Oh well, if anyone else has had any luck, please let me know!

Nick, let me tell you... I have thought of doing the same thing you are probably wanting to do. If it was possible I would have done it The only thing you can do is to dremel it and then reglue it or silicone it but you will have to be perfect or else you will see it.

Good luck.....

 

[Luke WL.]

I just put in the CF vocer thingy from Bimmian and did it from behind, that was a ***** to do, but it may be what you are talking about...

 

[Nick3356]

I just put in the CF vocer thingy from Bimmian and did it from behind, that was a ***** to do, but it may be what you are talking about...

Hmm, well I did manage to get the cf piece I have in b/t the glass/gauge rings...I just pushed it in..But the back has adhesive, so without taking the glass off, it's impossible to lay it in there :sad:
Hmm....

 

[niL]

Hmm, well I did manage to get the cf piece I have in b/t the glass/gauge rings...I just pushed it in..But the back has adhesive, so without taking the glass off, it's impossible to lay it in there :sad:
Hmm....

hmm, how about using some thin strips of double stick tape on the cluster it self? and slide in and lay the overlay ontop of it? just a idea, i have no clue how it works :dunno:

 

[dronell19]

Nick - unfortunately no, you can't detach the cover. I tried doing that a while ago.. no luck.

O/T: Warehouse has reopened and I have ordered the stuff. They'll be here tomorrow.