Removing E30 Cluster

Sat Dec 13, 2014 1:05 pm

Got to the point where I had to take out the small plastic trim held by 2 silver knurled nuts, but couldn't take out the one on the passenger side...

It's unimaginably tight?

The one on the driver's side came out pretty easy just by light turning, but the other one is dead stuck.

Any special trick to removing it? I can grab the nut quite well with 2 fingers, but it just doesn't want to turn. And yes, I'm turning it counter-clock wise lol

Also do I necessarily have to take out the steering wheel? I just need to change 2 illumination bulbs on the cluster, so would it possible to do it without taking it all the way out?

Sat Dec 13, 2014 1:23 pm

Counter-clockwise from your pov?! Steering wheel doesn't need removing, just tilt the top of the cluster outwards and slide out.

Sat Dec 13, 2014 1:33 pm

Cloggy Saint wrote:Counter-clockwise from your pov?! Steering wheel doesn't need removing, just tilt the top of the cluster outwards and slide out.

No, counter-clockwise as if I was looking at the nut from the front of the car, meaning I'm turning it to the left to remove it.

Good news about the steering wheel. I felt like an idiot fighting with that stupid nut for half an hour and then gave up and put everything back in

Sat Dec 13, 2014 1:35 pm

Have you tried pushing on the plastic panel that the nut secures? This will relieve some of the pressure.

Sat Dec 13, 2014 1:39 pm

Push in hard on the trim outside, right over the bolt, while trying to turn the nut.
It's possible to change the bulbs from underneath, without removing the cluster, if you can find a tool to grip and turn the holders.

Sat Dec 13, 2014 1:47 pm

Pair of thin pliers to start the knurled nut off?

Whilst you can slide the cluster out with the steery wheel in place,it's a whole lot easier with the wheel off!

Sat Dec 13, 2014 1:55 pm

Cloggy Saint wrote:Have you tried pushing on the plastic panel that the nut secures? This will relieve some of the pressure.

Good idea, didn't think of it

Brian, I want to the tighten the nuts on the fuel/temp gauges as well, so I thought I would take it out anyway.

I'm too pissed off to try again today, so I'll give it another go tomorrow

Sat Dec 13, 2014 1:59 pm

Daimler, another good idea

By the way, I've read that you have to lock the steering wheel before removing the nut, but surely using the lock as means to stop the wheel from turning is wrong? Can't it break when you're applying the force?

I thought the opposite, that you disengage the lock (key in ON position), the remove the nut?

Sat Dec 13, 2014 2:04 pm

I would definitely loosen the steering wheel nut with the steering lock off, for the reasons you say. Then lock the steering before removing it completely, but there's no reason to remove it to take out the cluster.
Pull the cluster towards you, lay it flat, face down, on the top of the column shroud, release the electrical plugs, and slide it out to the left.

Wed Dec 17, 2014 8:05 am

put steering lock on
loosen the centre nut and undo it a few turns *but keep the nut on the collumn"
stick key in the ign and turn to ACC
wiggle the wheel side to side and up and down to wiggle it off the spline whilst pulling backwards slightly.
then once it loosens up remove the nut and pull the wheel off

the key needs to be in the acc position as it has a pin that sticks up to prevent the wheel from being stolen.

those metal knurled nuts are just a wanker to get to and undo.. they're just FT (f-ing tight)

Wed Dec 17, 2014 9:51 am

Yes. forgot to mention that the lock has to be off to actually pull off the wheel, but again, there is absolutely no reason to remove it to take out the instrument cluster.
Knurled nuts are just as tight as the last person in there left them! Over tightening of fasteners, in general, causes many more problems than under tightening them.