Rotating Gauges

[brcorp]

Here is an easy one, I hope. I pulled my tach to rotate it so the redline was straight up, now I'm having a hell-of-a-time getting it to go back in with out screwing up the trim gasket. Any suggestions?

Bill

[Paul491]

Hmmmm... I pulled mine out just far enough to rotate it and then pushed it back in... You might try to use some soapy water sparingly around the gasket surfaces as a lubricant. After the solution dries, any residue is easily cleaned up. Hope this helps.

[Eric Coffey]

Yep, Paul is on the right track. The tach is probably the hardest gauge to put back in. I would first insert the rubber bezel ring inside the dash. Then coat the inside of the ring, as well as the outside of the gauge barrel with hot soapy water (mind the electrical connections). Slowly slide it in position while rotating back and forth.

[island911]

Talc (babypowder) is a good dry lube for rubber seals.

[Victor]

Push them out through the trunk with a broomstick handle....carefully.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally posted by Victor
Push them out through the trunk with a broomstick handle....carefully.

Yeah, but I think Bill is trying to get the tach in, not out.

Oh, and island's idea of using talc sounds good. Never tried it, but it is probably the smarter option (if it works good) when dealing with electrical components. The key though, is to get the rubber ring in place in the dash first, then slide the gauge into the ring. Have fun!

[Victor]

How stoopid do I look?

[brcorp]

OK, here is the trick. I dipped the gauge in some baby powder, took a broom handle to help force it in and drank the hot soapy water.

Thanks for the help, baby powder on the id of the rubber ring and on the od of the gauge does the trick.

Bill

[Randy Webb]

shouldn't that be id and ego?

[expat]

Ok, I'm an expert on this (finally something!!)

1st put the rubber ring fully inside the dash.

2nd coat the inside edge of the rubber ring (and even the gauge if you like) with a thin smear of trim detailer (eg Meguiars Gold Class Trim Detailer) and that sucker will slide right on in. You then have a few minutes to rotate it fairly easily, when its competely in, if your still not completly happy with how you've got it lined up.

I find after a week or so its pretty much stuck in there again but it is definitely easier to remove months later, than the first time.

Cheers
Mark

[brcorp]

"Trim Detailer", is that the same as Armour All?

Bill

[caliber60]

"getting it to go back"

Spread Windex or soap water around the rubber seal. It should slide in. That's how I put back two of my guages. I can not be push back w/out the soap water.

[trj911]

Originally posted by brcorp
OK, here is the trick. I dipped the gauge in some baby powder, took a broom handle to help force it in and drank the hot soapy water.



Bill

LOL!

[Eric Coffey]

Well, if you drank the hot soapy water, I'd hate to imagine what you would use the "trim detailer" for.

[masraum]

He tried to detail his trim, but the mistress would have none of it!

Did I say that out loud?

[Victor]

Ha - maybe lubricate the gage and seals with superglue - you will never have this problem again!