Unable to remove Instrument Cluster

[ncsteinb]

I am having the hardest time removing this gauge cluster... I've removed the black trim around the cluster and the 2 screws at the bottom, but this thing will not budge... I've tried pulling rather hard, but nothing...

Any suggestions??

 

[IWMTom]

I am having the hardest time removing this gauge cluster... I've removed the black trim around the cluster and the 2 screws at the bottom, but this thing will not budge... I've tried pulling rather hard, but nothing...

Any suggestions??View attachment 212822

Pull harder.

 

[carbon_gecko]

I had the same issue. It is a PITA but yank really hard.

 

[2018gti]

So, I found this thread from Google after struggling to get the cluster out (and failing). I wanted to share my funny shortcut to getting it out. Instead of trying to pull the cluster out of the metal clips, I ended up squeezing the top and bottom of the metal clips with a flathead so they would separate from the dashboard and the cluster practically flew out. So fast in fact that one of the 4 posts on it broke off.. (that’s in addition to the 2 edges of the cluster that I, uh, also broke off )

Hope that may help someone in the future. If you’re more careful than I am you should be able to get it out pretty easy and with no damage.

 

[BTgolfR]

I just used a trim removal hook, hooked it to the back of the cluster on each corner and pulled hard af on each corner at a time.

 

[2018gti]

I just used a trim removal hook, hooked it to the back of the cluster on each corner and pulled hard af on each corner at a time.

yup that sounds like the way to do it. there wasn’t a lot of critical thinking happening at the time for me.

fortunately the glue that I used worked well to reattach the couple of edges.