Any tips for removing gauges?

[myslateblue911]

The gauges on my 83' 911 SC are looking tired (red line is a faded yellow line), clock does not work, speedo is about 10 mph off.

I do believe it is time to send them to either Palo Alto or North Hollywood for a "restoration".

For those of you who have done this before, any tips would be appreciated (removal, wiring, shipping, other things I am not thinking about, etc...)

Thanks

[High Life]

For removing -I started with the tach first. I used a thin screw driver to dislodge the old seal sticking to the dash and then I opened the trunk and pushed it out. The others were essentially the same thing - using prying force and pushing force ( I could reach my hand through the tachometer hole).





I would take several pictures and label with tape the positions of the wires - from what I can tell there are a ton of wires..

[gazzerr]

You can also reach in from the frunk and push out the fuel and temp gauge from the back to get started.

[Snitzler]

I used a big sharp screwdriver and wrapped the tip with clear tape. You just need to start it and then fingers will suffice. Wasn't very difficult once started. Take pictures, take tons of pictures. Take pictures from both sides so that there are no hidden wires. I sent my tach and speedo to Hollywood. One gauge a year, this year will be the oil pressure gauge. I also applied clear tape to the side of the gauge and write my phone number and name. Include a piece of paper with your address, phone number and exactly what you want done. Get a good box and use bubble wrap. I also put the gauges in a few baggies, in case the box gets wet. Insure the heck out of it, imagine if you had to replace that gauge. Just in case.... I also got new light bulbs and cleaned all the contacts before reinstalling the reworked gauges. My tach rubber was gone and I had to replace it, check the rubber and order it if necessary so that you have it when the gauge comes back.

[Bill Douglas]

I used an old broom handle and pushed them trough from the trunk.

[macssc911]

Recommend marking wiring with masking tape and number do the same on your gauges on the side with corresponding numbers then call Cory Shepard of Specialiy Gauges in Manassas Va Quick turn around reasonably priced good guy
7074024008
Specialtygauge@gmail.com

[Oneredspyder]

I used a little tool that is used to pry open paint cans, and I taped or padded the dash a bit so it would be protected. The tool is like a flat screw driver with a little bend at the end, worked great. When I sent the speedometer off to fix the tripometer, I told them not to change the mileage, which they do sometimes. I regret not having them recalibrate the speedometer because I think it is about 10% off. I also learned never to change the tripometer when the car is moving because it strips the plastic gears!
86 Carrara

[Quickstep192]

I was able to remove mine by just twisting it back and forth a little while pulling on it.
Despite reading lots of info saying the tach should come right out, mine just will not come out without removing the shroud on the steering column.

[gamin]

All good advice above.
Once removed you need to send them off to be refurbed.
Since you are E of the Mississippi I would highly recommend Nichols Speedometer and Instrument
in Greensboro NC. Their phone is 336-273-2881. VDO repair shop for decades. They did a complete refurb of all the instruments from my 70 after engine fire and dousing by the fire fighters. Did a fantastic job in just 2 weeks. You don't have to use the west coast guys.

[Mike Andrew]

I usually start with the speedo as I then have some room to get my paw in the dash to help the other gages out. My lever of choice is a stiff putty knife with duct tape over the end; work it in and twist slightly. Then grab the gage and work it out.
Instead of photos, I drew diagrams in my Bentley manual with wire and bulb locations. Works better for me than a photo.

[Lyle O]

Originally Posted by gazzerr

You can also reach in from the frunk and push out the fuel and temp gauge from the back to get started.

^^^^ This. I use the back end of a 2-iron (the rubber handle part) to push on the gauge. It avoids any risks to mar the gauge from the front. Then you work from inside the car from the open hole to push out each neighboring gauge. It is also the best use of my 2-iron I can come up with (since it doesn't work very well for me on the golf course)...

[kavadarci]

For the rpm gauge I had the same problem removing it but fellow member recommended pushing it upwards towards the dash which is soft and can flex, that was enough for me to remove it.

I painted the inner rings red and changed the plastic to glass.

[ard]

I use trim removal tools. I start with the tach. I put masking tape on the speedometer gauge and use the perimeter of it to lever the tach out.