Best way to remove the Cluster Bezel.

[HighMileage]

I searched this and mostly found "remove bezel". I'd have to figure that it just pulls out. Where is the best place to grab it to pull it out without breaking it? I'm an expert at snapping GM "tortilla chip" plastic.

I already broke one heater/stereo bezel by grabbing it and pulling it off. Does the Cluster Bezel have those same metal clips that like to fall down the inside of the dash?

My issue is my left turn indicator bulb is out. The bulbs outside blink normally,but the dash bulb is out.

The bulb has been out since someone installed the Alky kit. Hopefully it is not a broken piece in the printed circuit.

I'm gonna use the piece of vacuum hose trick to pull the bulb out if I get to it. Are they 194's?


Thanks!

 

[Heisenberg]

Same type of clips

I've found the lower part is where I start
It's pretty stout there - not as thin as the top piece
There are 2 clips each side - right near the column rubber piece
Get those loose and work outward to the two L & R of those

I can take a picture of the backside if you'd like to see

The radio surround is a lot more brittle and flimsy than the cluster surround

 

[HighMileage]

Ok,so get the lower area near the column started,then work out.

You know,I have a perfect dash pad here in my bedroom atop a large bookshelf,and there doesn't appear to be any slots for the bezel. I thought there would be...

I have a feeling that once I remove this bezel one time,I'll be ok.

Thanks,Heisen...Hesisen... Tried to say your name!

 

[Chuck Leeper]

"You know,I have a perfect dash pad here in my bedroom atop a large bookshelf,and there doesn't appear to be any slots for the bezel. I thought there would be..."
The bezel clips go into the rear plastic frame, not the pad.

 

[HighMileage]

I can take a picture of the backside if you'd like to see

Ok,I got the thing out with no problem. Now my issue is getting it back in.

The two clips in the center lower portion were gone. I don't see then in the dash. A few other clips were laying in their respective holes. They apparently pulled off of the bezels tabs.

This whole clip thing is such a b-s design that's evident in my other GM's of the same era. Usually I super-glue the clips onto the tabs,but my glue was dried up in the tube this time.

I had a few spare clips and put them on the bezel tabs....lined it up as best as I could....and pushed... Some of it seems to be settling in. Pushed on the other places.... (light cracking sound heard) "C'mon you tortilla chip plastic $%#-ing thing!" Push some more.... Nope. The big *Give Up*.

My guess is I have a few clips that aren't orientated right on the bezel tabs. But it's tough to tell which ones.

Did I mention I can work with something delicate for hours? ...but when it comes to GM plastic,I'm the king of *SNAP!*...."Dammmmmit!!"

Oh,and I glue things back together and break them again.

 

[Heisenberg]

Put a light coating of red lipstick on the back side of the tabs
Lightly depress the bezel where you think it should be snapping it - but don't try to go all the way
Remove carefully - straight out
You'll see what is touching where.

 

[HighMileage]

That red lipstick part is gonna be tough. Single guy....straight.... No lipstick here. If I have to go to Walmart and get some,well that's what I'm gonna have to do. If I get asked by a nosey cashier,I'll just say it's for a GN dash bezel. They'll believe that!

Do you have that picture of the back with the clips pointed in the right direction? Pleeeeeze...

 

[Heisenberg]

Ok,so get the lower area near the column started,then work out.

You know,I have a perfect dash pad here in my bedroom atop a large bookshelf,and there doesn't appear to be any slots for the bezel. I thought there would be...

The surround bezel snaps into the black cluster assy thing - it's got a name - I just have to find the manual to know what they call it.

 

[Heisenberg]

That red lipstick part is gonna be tough. Single guy....straight.... No lipstick here. If I have to go to Walmart and get some,well that's what I'm gonna have to do. If I get asked by a nosey cashier,I'll just say it's for a GN dash bezel. They'll believe that!

Do you have that picture of the back with the clips pointed in the right direction? Pleeeeeze...

I knew that was going to elicit a reaction!
A good carpenter always carries a tube - ideal for transferring points and a Saturday night in town..
Hang tight - I'll post the back side of the surround bezel

 

[HighMileage]

Ok,thanks. No big hurry. I won't be back at the car till tomorrow afternoon.

Thank you!!

 

[Heisenberg]

Ok,I got the thing out with no problem. Now my issue is getting it back in.

The two clips in the center lower portion were gone. I don't see then in the dash. A few other clips were laying in their respective holes. They apparently pulled off of the bezels tabs.

This whole clip thing is such a b-s design that's evident in my other GM's of the same era. Usually I super-glue the clips onto the tabs,but my glue was dried up in the tube this time.

I had a few spare clips and put them on the bezel tabs....lined it up as best as I could....and pushed... Some of it seems to be settling in. Pushed on the other places.... (light cracking sound heard) "C'mon you tortilla chip plastic $%#-ing thing!" Push some more.... Nope. The big *Give Up*.

My guess is I have a few clips that aren't orientated right on the bezel tabs. But it's tough to tell which ones.

Did I mention I can work with something delicate for hours? ...but when it comes to GM plastic,I'm the king of *SNAP!*...."Dammmmmit!!"

Oh,and I glue things back together and break them again.

Might be a minor point but:
Since you swapped some clips

Top 2 Clips - Clip extension or bump towards top or outer
Middle 2 Clips - Clip Extension or bump - Towards inner side
Lower 4 Clips (2 @ column + 2 outside) - Clip extension or bump towards inside

I'll bet the reason it doesn't finish snapping into place is that you have a couple of clips reversed

 

[Bruce Urie]

That red lipstick part is gonna be tough. Single guy....straight.... No lipstick here. If I have to go to Walmart and get some,well that's what I'm gonna have to do. If I get asked by a nosey cashier,I'll just say it's for a GN dash bezel. They'll believe that!

Do you have that picture of the back with the clips pointed in the right direction? Pleeeeeze...

If you're not gay but single, you can use "Chapstick" instead of the lipstick.....I usually use lipstick to polish silver.........no kidding.....cheap lipstick polishes silver fantastic...........I also use "Chapstick" to coat both sides of carburetor gaskets to keep them from tearing or sticking when I have to disassemble to change the jets in them........

Anyway, how in hell did I get off subject? Use "Chapstick" as a lube on these tabs if you're out of lipstick big guy!

Bruce '87 Grand National

 

[earlbrown]

It's not a 'gay' thing... poor fella is an A&P, they can't think right without a printed order of operations

 

[Bruce Urie]

It's not a 'gay' thing... poor fella is an A&P, they can't think right without a printed order of operations

Earl, help me out here..........what is A&P? The printed order of operations I get.

Bruce '87 Grand National

 

[earlbrown]

airframe and powerplant. Those poor guys are just flat out weird....


....and for me to say that, it's just bad

 

[Bruce Urie]

airframe and powerplant. Those poor guys are just flat out weird....


....and for me to say that, it's just bad

OH! Now I get it! Thanks for the explanation......you would have to excuse me for laughing, I couldn't help it. Sorry. Never heard it put this way before.......guess I'm gittin' old.........

Don't feel bad, Earl, a lot of us here are bad also! Your term is mild compared to some of the stuff I've heard.

Thanks again.....(snicker, snicker, snuff!)

Bruce '87 Grand National

 

[rag231]

Just make sure that when you reinstall the vertical connector ( the one with the copper strips exposed ) on the back that it is inserted correctly. Mine was inserted and off by one position ( I dont know how I did it ) but signal lights didnt work correctly and a couple of other funky things.

 

[Heisenberg]

Just make sure that when you reinstall the vertical connector ( the one with the copper strips exposed ) on the back that it is inserted correctly. Mine was inserted and off by one position ( I dont know how I did it ) but signal lights didnt work correctly and a couple of other funky things.

I don't think he removed the cluster.
God forbid, and we would be helping to align that as well.

 

[Heisenberg]

If you're not gay but single, you can use "Chapstick" instead of the lipstick.....I usually use lipstick to polish silver.........no kidding.....cheap lipstick polishes silver fantastic...........I also use "Chapstick" to coat both sides of carburetor gaskets to keep them from tearing or sticking when I have to disassemble to change the jets in them........

Anyway, how in hell did I get off subject? Use "Chapstick" as a lube on these tabs if you're out of lipstick big guy!

Bruce '87 Grand National

The more I think about it - the lipstick idea was probably completely unnecessary.
How in the hell can it be out of alignment?
It's like 6 tabs into 6 holes.
It doesn't get much simpler than that.

It must be a couple of those clips are reversed and they aren't slipping into their slots.
Or whatever the right term is.

 

[Heisenberg]

It's not a 'gay' thing... poor fella is an A&P, they can't think right without a printed order of operations

LOL - yeah Earl.
I should have created a work order, with all of the proper steps identified, and an full illustration of the surround bezel, and each clip identified by part number, and its orientation.
Stamped - "Certified for flight readiness by Walter White"
Or said - just snap the damned thing back on and use a bigger hammer this time!
Whichever?