The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors 58 Instrument Cluster Removal & Turn Signal Slipg

I've been working all day to try and remove the instrument panel but can only get it about 1/2" out. It seems to get stopped at the lip of the back of the cluster. Is there some kinda trick to this?

I recently replaced the upper steering column bearings and now the signal piece slips down and can interrupt in changing gears. I've tightened the screw many times but it seems to break loose and slip down, particularly when I'm driving in heavy traffic. Any thoughts or did I miss something?

Have you unscrewed the speedo cable?

the cluster has some kinda screw protrusions around the edge [forget just where] that will take some gentle prying to get past them - it's a very tight fit, but you're not likely to damage anything, just get mad and either make sure all the wires are off, including the dash lights, or careful you don't suddenly pop it out so far ya rip a connection off .... seems I remember it working best to get either the top, bottom or one corner out first, just fergit which

the signal cup has a wedge piece that the screw jams against the column and they wear to the point they're too smooth to hold - they're available new [Old Car Centre has'em, #54-13340W], but usually a thin piece of rubber slipped in behind it will work, just means taking the wheel off to get it in there

Bill

I finally got it! Wiggle, wobble, wiggle, wobble and a touch of WD-40. It took about 4 hours on a nice day. I had just installed the speedo cable which started todays work and it has extra length. The oil guage wire, though, was a bit of a problem once I got the cluster over 1" out. I just couldn't seem to get it off the cluster.

Red, thanks for the recommendation. I'll visit my dad for the wheel remover and try that. I never had problems with it before but it's really starting to interfere with driving now.

Oh, now I've done it. I put the Instrument cluster back in, put things back together and hooked up the battery. I got the engine working, radio, left signal but no right light. I suspect the green and blue wire lights are signal and the grey are backlights for the cluster but not sure. Any advice is appreciate.

yes, grey are the dash lights, dark blue = right turn, light blue = left turn .... light green should be to the high beam indicator

Bill

Thank You! It all seems to work again. I forgot I was supposed to help someone move and got carried away with working on the truck. I learned a whole-lot new today. Thanks.

I guess ya learned it's much more fascinating to work on the ol truck than move furniture

Bill

I have found that it is easier to disconnect the oil line from the engine first. It gives you more room to disconnect it from the dash panel.
Fred

Actually, it is more fascinating! I'll be more familiar the next time I work on it. Gotta few honks from my legs dangling out the window.

rfs56trk - I was thinking the same thing. I had real trouble trying to disconnect it from the cluster so worked around that. Next time I'll disconnect it at the engine.