Installed the aluminium dash rings! (A short 'how to')

[Sven_S8]

As promised, hereby the procedure to install the rings.



The 'before' pic...

Taking out the dash cluster is pretty straightforward, just move the steering wheel all the way towards you and lower it as far as possible.



Remove the covers like above.



Loosen hex bolts (#5)

Now carefully pull the cluster towards you.

There are three cable connectors on the back, one on the right, two on the left. They are held in place by a clamp, you have to open this (they are hinged on one side) before you can pull out the connectors. Pretty self explanatory when you see it. They are color-coded, so don't worry, it's virtually impossible to mix them up later on.



Out of the car, ready for the operation...




The back. The torx screwdrivers indicate the two torx #8 screws you need to remove.



The white arrows indicate the clips you need to loosen. There's a couple more at the bottom, so an extra hand is useful...





Pay attention to the clear plastic bit, indicated by the red arrow; it will fall out when you take the cluster apart! Put the rear part of the instrument cluster in a safe place, you won't need this for now.



The rings. Note the sloped back, and the rim for the glue.



The front. These things are very well crafted...



Put them in place. You need to squeeze the big ones a bit to get them through, but no worries, they get right back in shape. Tape them firmly in place so you have your hands free for the glueing. Note the tissue, to prevent any accidents (glue, scratches). Obviously I covered the whole screen.



The arrows indicate the rim where the glue goes.



Mighty Bison Power, must be good then, eh?

I found it very practical to use a toothpick to apply the glue. Just dip it in the glue, and let it slide into the rim. Easy enough, but you do need steady hand. (Therefore not recommended on the day after the night before).

Let it dry for a bit (dependent on the glue you use). When the glue is dry, remove the tape and glue the parts that were covered by it. (You don't want to chance a rattle or the rings coming off after you reinstalled the dash so make sure they are firmly fixated.)

When that's dry, reassemble the cluster. (mind the plastic bit and the two torx screws).



Ready!



Back in the car... does that look good, or what? :-)



Gratuitous S8 dash shot...


All in all a pretty easy job to do. Just a little care, that's all!

And This is where I got them. Not the cheapest, but definitely the best looking ones! Very nice folks to deal with as well. +++

[m8bmw]

sounds like my first project back. I also noticed that your steering wheel and tachometer is different than mine. I have a different S8 logo style, which I do not like as much as yours. Very cool.

Stephen

[escapA8]

[ryoung]

And also a great write-up.

[Paldi]

[Dave G]

[ltooz_a6_a8_q7]

[Sven_S8]

and I'm somewhat of an insomniac... :-/

I hate myself now.

[KaMaKaZieP -ALUMIN8-]

[PaulW]