Reassembling Instrument Cluster

[SandwichMan8u]

Hello this is my first post on the forum, what a great treasure trove of knowledge this place is!

I come seeking help on how to properly reassemble a tachometer instrument cluster, it is a white face cluster from a Festiva which I have disassembled so that I could reprogram the odometer to match the original cluster (which was easy enough) however I am stumped on how to reinstate the face of the cluster whilst simultaneously keeping the fuel and temperature needles aligned and in their place, when I try to put the face back in the needles have to tilt back and then hop out of position, I have already removed the trip meter reset stalk and will install that later through the small hole in the back of the white plastic housing, but even with that removed I feel these little needles will drive me mad!

Please let me know if you have experience in this, I would love to retain the ability to gauge the amount fuel left in my tank.

[SandwichMan8u]

I took a little break before I had another crack at it, perseverance was the key, and maybe a little bluetack as well, but now all that's left is to take off the electronics board on the back and reinstall the trip meter reset stalk

[1990new]

I have done this to three of them.. the first one was a leaning experience and had to be scrapped. The other two worked out fine, but that work is too fine and tedious for me now.
Great Work! Keep it up.

[SandwichMan8u]

The first tacho cluster I bought was unfortunately destroyed in transit and I was able to tinker around with that while I waited for another to arrive.

I'm glad that I was not in need of a cluster urgently and that it was instead a luxury to add a tachometer because this mistake by the wrecker packaging the cluster in only bubble wrap and plastic cost him a refund and me another week or so of waiting.

IMG_20220504_134005.jpg

[usmcsgt1968]

I've never done one so I don't have any info for you. Sorry...

[SandwichMan8u]

Fear not! it is fully assembled, all I need to do now is get some isopropyl alcohol to remove the paint pen writing the wrecker so graciously decided to use on the clear plastic.