fixing Bay gauge panel glass

[guzzirider]

The glass faces were loose on my gauge cluster. So I took the gauge cluster apart. I appears the glass was originally held in by a metal ring that appeared to rotate and engage a bunch of little plastic bits.

Well all the plastic bits are long gone and rattling around.

Obviously I am not the only one with this issue

I thought I would get some RTV or Silicon and adhere the glass to the plastic panel and then do the same with the metal ring. Do I even need the metal ring

no sense reinventing the wheel again

Thanks
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69 doublecab with 2" lift
Suzuki DR650
2016 Dodge Crew 1500 4x4

[OB Bus]

Those little metal fingers were gone on mine also. I used a few (6-7?) tiny drops of super glue applied with a toothpick carefully around the edge to hold the glass in. Keep the glue away from the inside edge or it will smear and show. (Ask me how I know that.....)
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Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper.

[busdaddy]

And next time the gas gauge or speedo acts funny don't go tapping the glass to try and smarten it up
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Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
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[guzzirider]

SO OB Bus

did you reinstall the metal rings by gluing those to the other side of the glass?

I am thinking they are no longer of any use

Thank you
_________________
69 doublecab with 2" lift
Suzuki DR650
2016 Dodge Crew 1500 4x4

[OB Bus]

[aeromech]

The rings retain the glass inside the plastic fingers so once the fingers break they serve no purpose. I use a 2 part epoxy in place of the fingers. Just a dab maybe every 30 degrees.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[airschooled]

My gas cluster glass clips were broken too, so I made little clips out of thin sheet metal. Holding strong years later:

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[SGKent]

dashes are also inexpensive coming from classifieds. There are lots of them.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[guzzirider]

So fixed the glass by this method see how it holds up: a) clear gorilla glued glass to plastic dash panel, b) Clear gorilla glued metal rings to glass. c) epoxied the metal rings to plastic panel at places it should have originally had contact

before I button it back up should I lubricate the speedometer

Thanks

_________________
69 doublecab with 2" lift
Suzuki DR650
2016 Dodge Crew 1500 4x4

[aeromech]

That’s a good idea but don’t overdo it and use the right lube. This might take some research. The wrong lube could be worse than not doing it at all
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound