Instrument Cluster Bezel Removal

[technogray]

Somehow I managed to get a dead bug in behind the bezel of my instrument cluster. It is sitting behind the clear plastic right next to the speedometer. Anybody have any suggestions on removal, of the bug or bezel - hopefully, quick and easy.

Thanks,
Rich

[BSRL]

I'm guessing you pulled the instrument cluster shroud off already? It just pops off (I believe, I haven't done it in awhile). If you still can't get to it then I suppose you'll have to remove the upper dash to get to it. I've never gone that far before...I'm sure lots of people here have though.

[compdoc777]

Quick and easy no way. You have to take out the dash and to do that you have to remove a ton of crap. There is a DIY here on the forum. Get ready for some serious work.

I just did that last night takes about an hour if you know what you are doing and have a flexi drill with a socket attachment. Pulling my Blackcat custom dash thing because it is craptastic.

Also I am putting in new speakers.

[coopcj7]

the whole lower dash and part of the upper dash has to be taken out. It shold only take around an hour to do this but it is not hard at all just start taking things apart and you will soon get to it

[jel]

Here's the lower and upper dash removal. And then the taking apart of the instrument panel. Have fun

Dash Removal For Radio
Upper Dash Removal
Gauge mod

Of course you don't have to do every step in all three, but it will give you a starting point. That's a lot of work for a bug.

[marlboromike]

the first time i took mine apart it took about 6 hours...i didn't want to ruin anything...of course, coopcj7 was on phone alert. He is the expert. It is not difficult...only the first time it is...it is the pulling the parts that give resistence that u get scared.

Just make sure u have someone to call when u get SCARED. It is only about 21 screws that have to be removed...Oh yes, putting it back to it's original position is another task...I had 2 screws left over...had to remove the dash again and find where they went.

Suggestion: Once you remove each section of the dash...put back the screws where u removed them from.

[Helios]

Originally Posted by compdoc777

Pulling my Blackcat custom dash thing because it is craptastic.

Pulling Blackcat custom gauges? What's wrong with them? I've had mine for 1.5 yrs and have had no problems and numerous compliments on them.

[compdoc777]

Originally Posted by Helios

Pulling Blackcat custom gauges? What's wrong with them? I've had mine for 1.5 yrs and have had no problems and numerous compliments on them.

Well mine are 10 mph and 5 rpms off, but that does not bug me much. Yet, the fact that the LED's bleed right through the gauge. There is no light diffuser it is just clear so you really can't see the gauge just the bright blinding LED behind it.

I bought the carbon fiber one and it just looks crappy has no fuctionality and the numbers are off. I paid like $115 or more for the extra stuff and the quality is just not there.

I might make a new gauge myself. I would love to know what company makes them for GM. Or even if I could find the material they use. BlackCat does not use materials to diffuse the light or polarize the light coming in. Basically it is just a clear laminar plastic that has printing on top of it. Maybe a layer of color to change the color of the light.

I might send it back to him and see if he can fix it. I don't expect much though I have talked with him a few times and he does not seem to be to bothered that mine kinda sucks. He is more interested in me purchaseing a new one. I will get some scans of the gauge that I was sent you all can see what I am talking about.

[BSRL]

Originally Posted by Helios

Pulling Blackcat custom gauges? What's wrong with them? I've had mine for 1.5 yrs and have had no problems and numerous compliments on them.

Yea, I was curious about that comment too. What's wrong with it? I was thinking of getting one of those as well.

[Helios]

I had him make custom white ones for me and i love them. i dont have any issues with light bleeding through or anything! 100% easier to read the gauges since i swapped them but when i put the needles back on i was a tad off on the MPH now showing 2-3 miles slower than actual (no biggie to me). Here's pictures in my original post after i swapped them out.

Upgrades!!! WOOT!

[compdoc777]

Originally Posted by Helios

I had him make custom white ones for me and i love them. i dont have any issues with light bleeding through or anything! 100% easier to read the gauges since i swapped them but when i put the needles back on i was a tad off on the MPH now showing 2-3 miles slower than actual (no biggie to me). Here's pictures in my original post after i swapped them out.

Upgrades!!! WOOT!

Yours looks great.

Wait until you see mine. LOL!

[technogray]

Originally Posted by jel

Here's the lower and upper dash removal. And then the taking apart of the instrument panel. Have fun

Dash Removal For Radio
Upper Dash Removal
Gauge mod

Of course you don't have to do every step in all three, but it will give you a starting point. That's a lot of work for a bug.

Thanks all for the suggestions, but I decided to be creative and go for compressed air. I blew enough air in and around the instrument cluster after removing the shroud that the bug went somewhere else - don't know or don't care where, but I can't see him anymore so that's good enough for me. Thanks again for the suggestions.

Rich

[marlboromike]

that was brilliant...i would never have thought of that...it's good to think outside the box.

[Lil GTO]

Originally Posted by technogray

Thanks all for the suggestions, but I decided to be creative and go for compressed air. I blew enough air in and around the instrument cluster after removing the shroud that the bug went somewhere else - don't know or don't care where, but I can't see him anymore so that's good enough for me. Thanks again for the suggestions.

Rich

That was my idea - but you tried it before I could suggest it - although I was thinking you might have to drill a small hole and use a can of compressed air with a nozzle stick/straw on the end. I figured if it got in there must be a way out. Sounds like you found a better way.