Aluminum gauge bezels
All of these installations are to be performed at your own risk!!!!
Step 11:
To the right of the steering column, there is a 13mm nut. Using the 13mm socket, remove the nut .
To the left of the steering column, there is a 13mm nut. Using the 13mm socket, remove the nut. Once this nut is removed, push the entire steering column downward a few inches. Do not worry about pushing too far, as it will come to rest against a stopping point.
Step 12:
Along the top of the gauge assembly, there are two size 15 torx screws. Remove these two screws. Note also that the washers on these screws are larger than the other size 15 torx screws that you have removed so put these screws in a distinguishable place for re-installation later.
Once the two screws are removed, you are ready to pull the gauge assembly forward. First, if you have not done so already, tilt the steering wheel all the way down. Also, if you have an electrically telescoping steering wheel, make sure it is all the way out toward the driver's seat. Second, lay the protective cloth on top of the steering column as well as over the top of the steering wheel. Then, begin the removal by tipping the top portion toward you because as along the bottom of the gauge assembly there is a white tab that needs to be lifted out of its alignment within a square opening that is formed in a horizontal metal plate. Once it is free, you will need to tilt the top back so as to access one or two plugs connected to the back of the assembly.
Near the driver's side of the back of the gauge assembly, a fairly large plug is connected to the assembly. The plug is black but it is within a gray plastic housing that includes a hooked tab. Under the dashboard, the hooked tab is on the side of the plug that is toward the passenger door. In order to disconnect this plug from the back of the gauge assembly, you need to squeeze inward on the tab (i.e., toward the driver's side) while at the same time pulling the housing, which will also thereby pull the plug, away from the back of the gauge assembly. The fitting is a bit tight and there is not much room to work, but be patient with the hooked tab because it is the only thing locking the plug in place (other than the friction fit of the plug with the female plug on the back of the gauge assembly).
Near the center and top of the back of the gauge assembly, there is a white male plug for the HUD that needs to be disconnected. The plug is only friction fitted into the female, so pull gently along the wires just where they enter into the male plug so as to pull the male away from the female. Be patient and work your way back and forth along the entire length of the male plug so as to free it from the female. Once you remove this plug (in middle of pic with black wires) you will be able to remove the cluster.
Step 13 (Cluster Dissassembly):
Find a suitable work area to work on. On the back top center of the gauge assembly, there are two size 15 torx screws as shown in the photo. Using the size 15 torx screwdriver, remove these two screws.
(the above pic borrowed from Vette Essentials)
On the back lower left side of the gauge assembly, there are two size 15 torx screws. Using the size 15 torx screwdriver, remove these two screws.
