Removing insturment cluster......

[BFEINZIMER]

Taken from another site... I have not tried this, but it's worth a look!

Here's a tip if you don't have a tilt steering wheel.... so you don't have to take off the steering wheel to remove the cluster.

The problem is how to remove the cluster without taking off the steering wheel. I found that you can tip the cluster forward and sidways to remove the electrical leads from the back, but to get it out you have to:

1) Disconnect the battery before you do anything
2) Jack up the car (on both sides) so that the front wheel turn easily without the engine running
3) Extend the telescopic portion of the steering wheel all the way
4) Tilt the insturment cluster so that if fits between the steering wheel top section
5) Open the driver's door
6) Turn the steering wheel with the cluster together to the left and pull the cluster out from the left side. If the steering wheel locks, then use the key to maually unlock it.
With the wheels off the ground the steering should turn easily enough.

I hope this helps. I found it easier to do this than to remove the steering wheel I have since it has an air bag in it.

Ok so I don't want to have to remove the airbag and wheel, but I have a 1990 535 so I'm pretty sure it does not telescope or tilt, so is it still possible to remove it cuse I've been trin n gettin nowhere?

Anyone?

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

you'll have to disconnect the battery, drink a beer.

then take off the wheel

[BFEINZIMER]

damit, i dont have a torque wrench

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

damit, i dont have a torque wrench

with the guess-ta-mator torque wrench.

[Ross]

Nope, it can done. Definately disconnect the battery or plan on a trip to the dealer to reset the SRS light.

[BFEINZIMER]

Nope, it can done. Definately disconnect the battery or plan on a trip to the dealer to reset the SRS light.

It can be done...explain? Cuse I can't even get the dam thing at an agle its tight in there

[BFEINZIMER]

ok so i can twist it just enough to remove the electrical connectors, but if i remove them and the dash doesent come out i wont be able to get em back on theres not enough finger/hand space, so is whats holding the dash in the wires?...to ehre it cant be pulled out nemore, im here with the laptop so a speedy reply is appricated

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

It can be done...explain? Cuse I can't even get the dam thing at an agle its tight in there

on my 1990 and I ended up pulling the wheel, because it was still kinda tight and I couldn't even reach the plugs easily.

I think the only way without the telescopic column, would be to gain some room by removing the plastic column trim, but that seems almost as much trouible as pulling the wheel.

[Ross]

Disconnect the 4(?) plugs, tilt it forward and wiggle it around the wheel.
A rag over the column will keep you from scratching things up.
I've done it on E32s & E34s, mostly because I was too lazy to remove the wheel.
Removing the wheel is not a big deal either, just undo the nut and pull, just remember it's original position.
Sorry for slow typing.

[BFEINZIMER]

Disconnect the 4(?) plugs, tilt it forward and wiggle it around the wheel.
A rag over the column will keep you from scratching things up.
I've done it on E32s & E34s, mostly because I was too lazy to remove the wheel.
Removing the wheel is not a big deal either, just undo the nut and pull, just remember it's original position.
Sorry for slow typing.

im worried if i remove the plugs which looks like 2 then if i cant get it out will i be able to get themj back on (the plugs) becasue ill have a dead dash then if not