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Ok, I know this question must be asked every single day but I swear, something is definitely wrong with my car (or me). I am trying to install some indiglo gauges in my 2000 camry, following some step-by-step instructions by that1mexguy. They are great instructions but I CANNOT GET PASSED THE SECOND STEP!!!
I have taken out the first two outside screws, but the outer black dash trim surrounding my gauge cluster REFUSES TO MOVE!!! I have pulled on the bottom portion and that pops out just fine, but the little area by the clock and the vent just doesn't budge! I've pulled up, out, down, wash, rinse, repeat, man, I've done everything and it's really frustrating. I even went inside the house and took a centrum multivitamin and tried again, and it still won't move.
Someone please help this idiot perform this supposedly simple task. Thanks!
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there are some clips behind that area. you have to pull firmly straight out to remove it. there are some pics of my install on my website (click on banner below).
I had the same problem when I did this 2 wks ago. The clips holding that outer bezel that I had problems with were on the left side of the vent and the right side of the clock. Take a flathead screwdriver and gently try to pry the bezel from the dash. The two clips that fit on the bottom of the bezel came out with no problem.
Originally posted by BigPete I had the same problem when I did this 2 wks ago. The clips holding that outer bezel that I had problems with were on the left side of the vent and the right side of the clock. Take a flathead screwdriver and gently try to pry the bezel from the dash. The two clips that fit on the bottom of the bezel came out with no problem.
Hey,
I've tried again and I still have no luck. Where do you suggest I pry from? I tried slipping a small screwdriver from underneath the vent area and tried pushing the clip to the left. I can't really see the clip so I can't exactly tell what I am doing. Do you have any suggestions on how I should go at this?
Should I start at the clock side or the vent side and where should I pry from?
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just do like i did and break the tab off on that side. now i can get my bezel off in less than a minute but seriously, its gonna take some muscle to get that baby out. get something stiff thats in the shape of an L (I used one of those L shaped screw drivers) and wrap it in cloth, and put it behind the bezel near the clock and just pull hard. it'll come out.
just do like i did and break the tab off on that side. now i can get my bezel off in less than a minute but seriously, its gonna take some muscle to get that baby out. get something stiff thats in the shape of an L (I used one of those L shaped screw drivers) and wrap it in cloth, and put it behind the bezel near the clock and just pull hard. it'll come out.
I'm not gonna lie... it was a bitch getting that bezel out. In fact, I did break the clip holding onto the clock side of the bezel. I've had to do some extra things to my gauges, and now getting into there is a breeze. Tinman, were those two screws at the top of the bezel easy to get out?
If you've already gotten the two clips on the bottom of the bezel, then there are only two more clips. The first is on the right side of the clock portion of the bezel. Get that one first by sliding a flathead screwdriver in between the dash molding and the bezel. Eventually it will pop off, either with the clip or without. Then try to get the clip that is on the left side of the vent portion of the bezel.
I'm not gonna lie... it was a bitch getting that bezel out. In fact, I did break the clip holding onto the clock side of the bezel. I've had to do some extra things to my gauges, and now getting into there is a breeze. Tinman, were those two screws at the top of the bezel easy to get out?
If you've already gotten the two clips on the bottom of the bezel, then there are only two more clips. The first is on the right side of the clock portion of the bezel. Get that one first by sliding a flathead screwdriver in between the dash molding and the bezel. Eventually it will pop off, either with the clip or without. Then try to get the clip that is on the left side of the vent portion of the bezel.
It was a real bitch getting out those two screws. For some reason they refused to come out. Took me about ten minutes as they refused to budge regardless of what size screwdriver I used and then when they started to move, they would get stuck and cause my screwdriver to slip out. Arghh!
Now in regards to the bezel, I really didn't want to break anything but I am determined to win this fight. I want those damn gauges in and I will do anything in my power to get them installed. When someone mentioned to use an L-shaped screwdriver, was he referring to a hex key or one of those movable screwdrivers that bend at a right angle? Also, will breaking the clip cause my dash trim to fit any differently? Will it be noticeable?
After I receive an answer, I'll go to work on it once more. Thank you all for all the help!
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I took a flathead screwdriver, wrapped the tip in masking tape to keep it from marring any surface, and then stuck it in and pried. My bezel looks fine, even though it is missing a clip. Don't worry about breaking it. If you do, I'm sure you could go to a junkyard and get a new bezel for like 5 bucks.
It was a real bitch getting out those two screws. For some reason they refused to come out. Took me about ten minutes as they refused to budge regardless of what size screwdriver I used and then when they started to move, they would get stuck and cause my screwdriver to slip out. Arghh!
Now in regards to the bezel, I really didn't want to break anything but I am determined to win this fight. I want those damn gauges in and I will do anything in my power to get them installed. When someone mentioned to use an L-shaped screwdriver, was he referring to a hex key or one of those movable screwdrivers that bend at a right angle? Also, will breaking the clip cause my dash trim to fit any differently? Will it be noticeable?
After I receive an answer, I'll go to work on it once more. Thank you all for all the help!
I finally got the trim off and my install went through quite well. It took me three hours and everything is working now. I did what you guys suggested and just pulled on that mutha until the clip broke. My dash still looks like nothing happened to it and now I can get back to my cluster with no hassle whatsover. Thanks!
One last thing though...now that I have my reverse indi's glowing at night, that ugly green stock light shines through. Can I replace those bulbs and if so, what number/type are they? I am gonna make em hyper white or something cause that green glow is horrendous.
Thanks again guys!
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but seriously, its gonna take some muscle to get that baby out. get something stiff thats in the shape of an L (I used one of those L shaped screw drivers) and wrap it in cloth, and put it behind the bezel near the clock and just pull hard. it'll come out.
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