I posted a message in early September on broken odometers but working speedometers. I got a good response (from Leonard) and today, I attempted to pull out my instrument cluster and remove the odometer and trip odometer. I ran into trouble.

I disconnected all of the bulbs, labeled them, disconnected the speedometer cable, unfastened the trip odometer reset pull from the bottom of the dash, and removed the 2 7/16" hex nuts that secure the cluster to the back of the dash. I did not yet disconnect the wires from the fuel gauge (4-5 wires on 2 terminals) nor the wires to the wiper motor? (silver cannister @ 3"x3") just over the fuel gauge on the left when looking from the back upside down. There's 4 female connectors on that motor and I don't see how to get that off but it may not need to be removed. That wiper motor does make it difficult to remove the fuel gauge wires.

Right now, the cluster is loose and can be pushed in a maximum of 2", but I cannot wiggle it out the front. It can't come out the back because of a metal bar just to the left of the steering column that does not appear to be removable. I know that the temp gauge has a hose that cannot be disturbed but I only see a cable partly covered by a black plastic sleeve going into the back of the temp gauge. I have not removed the temp gauge yet. does the temp gauge have to be removed BEFORE the cluster comes out?

Once the cluster is out in my hands, does the chrome bezel come off via bent clips? Then the transparent plastic cover lifts off and access to the odometers is available?

Please advise, am I doing this properly? With limited clearance (2 inches), I'm having difficulty in pushing the cluster in to then get it out. Tricks you've used? What did I forget? Thanks for any help.