Gauge Cluster Removal

[El Oso]

Ok I've been trying to get to my gauge cluster for days now. I can tear everything down except I can not remove the screws that hold the shroud around the steering column. I've tried every combination of sockets and extentions that I have available. Does anyone know of one the will deffinantly work? All my sockets or adapters are to large of diameter to fit all the way to the top of the holes to reach the screws.

[GTI]

sorry man I only have experience taking apart a first gen gauge and steering wheel cluster assembly. I dont think it is the same.

[rattle star galactica]

5.5 mm

[Jeremy]

Just drop the steering column, two 13mm bolts, makes like 1000000000000000000000000x easier.

[slowion2]

Just drop the steering column, two 13mm bolts, makes like 1000000000000000000000000x easier.

plus 1billion

still need to take the top cover off, but it's worlds easier to remove with the column dropped.

[Plastic Fury]

Nah, no need to drop the whole thing lol.

The 5.5 mm is the correct size and I think 7/32 will work in standard if you don't have the mm (but don't quote me on that, about 12 Corona's tonight). What I did was to grind down a socket (the outer diameter) because the damn thing will get stuck, it's a tight fit in that plastic column. A tech at my dealership did the same thing so I figured if it works for him lol.

I think there is five bolts, three are easy to get two but the other two are deep and like I said, a very tight fit.

[El Oso]

OK then thats what I'm gonna have to do. Ive got two sets to do. I was wondering how the dealership does it. I mean I see the step by step. They make it seem so easy but I just couldn't get one up that far. Guess I'll buy some cheapy foreign socket and grind it down. Thanks again.

[xthekoreanx]

3rd gen you dont need to remove all that crap. Just take off the top piece and u can unbolt it from there. Thats what i do everytime. There are just the 2 bolts on either side by the doors and the 2 for the passenger airbag. Dont need to tear everything else down.

Jason

[Plastic Fury]

3rd gen you dont need to remove all that crap. Just take off the top piece and u can unbolt it from there. Thats what i do everytime. There are just the 2 bolts on either side by the doors and the 2 for the passenger airbag. Dont need to tear everything else down.

Jason

You know, I should have paid better attention to that. I have only removed first gen steering columns, etc....