Dashboard cluster removal

[Newblet]

Hello,

 

I'm having a little trouble removing the dashboard from my mk6.5 (STyle) fiesta.

 

I have removed the following

Steering wheel upper trim

Steering wheel lower trim

The trim below the steering wheel (to gain access to the trim infront of the dashboard cluster)

The trim infront of the cluster

And two screws at the bottom of the cluster.

 

I tried giving it a little pull but it seemed like I'm missing something, any help would be appreciated.

 

I have looked at a few guides but they removed the rubber trim above the cluster and it doesn't look possible on my car.

[iantt]

you idealy need a round ended steel rule and insert imbetween cluster and dash (top and centre) 

i have done them with an old credit card before

[Newblet]

Old credit card it is, thanks I'll keep this post updated with progress.

[Tdci-Peter]

8 hours ago, Newblet said:

I tried giving it a little pull but it seemed like I'm missing something, any help would be appreciated.

If it is anything like the Focus, there are some quite big lugs of plastic digging into the fascia along the top. I used a flat knife to find the lugs, knife and maybe a credit card between cluster & fascia, and a big screwdriver, gently but quite firmly levering between the knife or card (protecting the cluster) and the soft fascia. It took a while, but came out without damage. It came out top first.

Then I trimmed down the stupidly big lugs quite a bit before putting it back. Just as well, as it just clicked into place when I noticed a bit left over, the mileage reset stalk! . It had to come out again.

[iantt]

a flat knife is a good one. easier than a credit card.

[Newblet]

I used a flat knife in the top and broke a piece of the plastic (clear front), any chance I can pick on of these up extremely cheap or am I looking at a new Speedo cluster?

 

It still works I just don't like the cracked plastic look. Dunno how I cracked it but that is my luck lol

[Tdci-Peter]

19 minutes ago, Newblet said:

I used a flat knife in the top and broke a piece of the plastic (clear front), any chance I can pick on of these up extremely cheap or am I looking at a new Speedo cluster?

Unfortunately most clear plastics are a bit brittle, and get much weaker with age and UV light exposure.

As far as I know, the plastic moulding is not available separately. Your best bet is to scour eBay & local scrappies for a used cluster for your car, just for the front. Used Clusters should not be too expensive, as fitting and programming them is not a simple or easy job, so not many people will want them. Also, if high mileage, resetting the odometer is difficult or expensive, so reducing the 2nd hand value.

A quick look on eBay gives prices from £24 to £50 for used ones. A local scrappy may be cheaper.

[Newblet]

Yeah I found one for 26 quid, best option is to just use the plastic over replacing the full cluster?

[Tdci-Peter]

3 hours ago, Newblet said:

best option is to just use the plastic over replacing the full cluster?

Definitely.

Replacing the cluster is usually a specialist job, it may contain immobiliser key codes, other vehicle specific info, and the odometer. Unless your one is faulty, it is usually not worth the effort. Even then it can be easier to get it repaired than try to replace it. Though a 2006 Fiesta may be different to a 2006 Focus, older clusters were easier to replace.

Sorry to hear of the crack, but it is not the first one. I perhaps should have been more specific about the care needed. But quite a lot of force is needed to free it, and maybe it had aged or been scratched enough to make breakage inevitable.

 

[Newblet]

It was actually in very good condition, I believe I placed the knife at too much of a angel. Entirely my fault, I only was removing it to clear the lense of the horrid blue and look at the lights.

 

I will try my local breakers for a broken Speedo and see if the plastic is in tact, maybe cheaper than buying a fully working one lol

 

Still will have to remove it which will be a bugger I bet with the crack :-(

 

Thanks for your insight and time it's much appreciated.

[Stoney871]

Best tools for the job are ones made by Bojo.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[iantt]

It's easy once you know where to insert and how it holds in the first place. No need to force knife at an angle . Just the insertion should release

[Newblet]

I since looked at one on eBay and realised it's only two small pieces of plastic. I actually was right in my positioning it was just the leverage and pulling which snapped the clear plastic.

 

 

[Jonro2009]

Do you have anyone that could actually fashion a new piece of plastic using the broken one as a template? I would imagine that with a decent hacksaw and then something to rub down the edges it would be quite an easy job to do at home.


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[Newblet]

Very good point jonro, I may have to look into this.

[iantt]

you still not done this?

[Newblet]

Nope afraid I'll break it lol, I have since added a k&n, footwell and boot LEDs though.

 

It's the first time I've broke something on her and it's quite expensive to replace so...