putting back plastic around gauge cluster

[rallysportchic97]

I took off the plastic piece that goes around my gauge cluster. I cant put it back in there without scratchin up its new paint job. I've seen other people with painted interiors have this same piece painted. How did they get theirs in without messin it up? It would be a piece of cake if the steering wheel would go lower or the blinker lever could come out. Help me!!

[2000camarostud]

Well what i did was move the steering wheel as far down as it would go, then i unscrewed the tilt lever, which gave the plastic piece a little more clearance. Start with the bottom of the piece putting that end in first, then gently push the top in, making sure the clips on the bottom go into their specific holes. dont be afraid to let the piece bend a bit, it has a little bit of flex to it, just dont get too rough. It is kind of a PITA, but once you figure it out the first time, everytime after that is a piece of cake. Hopefully that helps you out.

[rallysportchic97]

Thanks alot! I'll try it and see.

[silvachris1]

Something else to try is taking the metal clips off the back. They just twist off. I think it's like 3 turns and they come right off the bezel. Then put the plastic in place and put the clips back on it. Then just pop the clips in place.

Or, lower the steering column. It's easy. Remove the 4 screws from the panel below the steering column and set it aside (might have to unhook the trunk pop button). Then there are two 13mm (I think) nuts holding the steering column in place, remove them and left the column down gently. The plastic will go into place extremely easy this way. I've done it several times, so give it a try.

Good luck.

[mjparme]

When painting a piece that is somewhat hard to get off I usually take it off and then immediately try to put it back and maybe do it a couple of times until I figured out the easiest way to get it back on so I don't hurt the paint when it is time to put it on after painting.