Gauge Cluster Questions

[deathegg]

Hi all,
I have designed some new gauge faces for my non-tach cluster ('88 L+) and have some questions.
I searched and did not find exact answers and have not worked on a cluster before.

1). I cannot find a definitive answer on whether or not the gauge needles (gas,speedo,temp) can be removed or how to do it. If I can't remove the needles, I don't see how I can install new faces. Do you need some kind of really small puller of some kind or can you just give 'em a good pull and they come out? Any hints are appreciated.

2). On either side of the needles there are two small screws. These are for....what? Do they hold the OEM gauge faces on? Do I need to remove them?

3). I see that the bulbs that light the cluster have little white rubber sleeves on them; do these do anything? Has anyone else seen these? I have something like that in my tach, but the sleeve is blue to make the light blue. Why in the world are these white, since the inside of the lamp assembly is white?

Thanks everyone!!
Mark

[FestYboy]

the needels slide off with some perswation (sp) and the 2 screws hold the face to the gauge assembly.

the sleeves are for light dispersion (fewer bright spots)

[deathegg]

Good to know I can remove the needles. Do they only go in one way? In other words, do I have to be careful and mark their position before removal so I can put them back in right?

[htchbck]

nope they go in any way... just reset them to zero by giving them a firm twist, sometimes takes a couple tries because they can be a bit springy

[deathegg]

Well I removed the Temp needle from my "practice" cluster, and when I put it back in, it just flopped around, as though it was not connected to anything. I took off the face plate, and there is a part that appears to be in tension when the needle is in there correctly. I don't see how it's possible to do this and get them back in. I may just have to re-work my new gauge faces so I can put them in without removing the needles.

[Festiva_tunner]

if you remove the two screws next to the needle on the fuel and temp then the inner workings lose a plate and come apart - its time consuming but you can put them back together. when I install new faceplates I do them one screw at a time - the only one you can take both screws out on is the speedo