REMOVING THE CHROME GAUGE BEZELS on "M Gauges"

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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

REMOVING THE CHROME GAUGE BEZELS on "M Gauges"

Post by Southernboy »

A quick guide to removing the chrome bezels on the M gauges.
A stout teaspoon will be sacrificed...
Use a file to sharpen the tip of the spoon to a fairly fine edge which will easily pass between the back of the bezel and the plastic body. Position the spoon so the bowl of the spoon is resting against the plastic body and gently lever the bezel outwards. Continue working around the bezel until you can see that it will pass over the plastic lip of the gauge body.
Then position the spoon as described above, push the bezel outwards and downwards over the lip in one spot. You should be able to slip the spoon tip between the bezel and the lip and lever it off the body completely.
With regard to the Volt meter... after removing the needle it will be necessary to reset the correct position of the needle so that it indicates the correct charge level ie. 13.8 - 14 volts when the car motor is idling and no accessories are in use (eg. lights headunit etc). To do this you will need to connect the gauge to its wiring in the car, and start the motor. Once it is idling you can carefully replace the needle onto it's post with the pointer aimed in the appropriate direction. Once you are satisfied that it is pointing correctly, switch off and disconnect the gauge, replace the glass front and bezel and then it will be ready to install
With regard to the Oil temp gauge , the needle needs to be replaced with the needle pointing below the stop post on the dial face, and then carefully lifted over that post. This provides exactly the correct "tension" to the needle so that when you turn on the ignition the needle doesn't indicate that the motor is already warm...
With regard to the replacement of the clock needles, you will see that the spindle protruding from the face is square shaped at the bottom to fit the shorter needle...fit the short needle so it engages correctly and then move it to the 12 'o' clock position. Next fit the longer needle also pointing at the 12 position... that will co-ordinate them both to correctly synchronise every hour...
Replacing the bezel is quite simple.
Place the bezel complete with the glass cover face down and position the gauge body onto the bezel so that one side is already located into position with the plastic lip inside the beze.
Slowly apply pressure downwards and around until the bezel clips in all round.
Lastly, use the handle of the spoon to press the somewhat lifted back edge of the bezel all the way round so it is back to where it was - or as near as dammit, since the metal will not return all the way without a proper bezel press, but it will do for your purposes of securing it enough.
Another tip.
The glass fronts of these gauges are perspex, and can be brilliantly restored with very little effort to perfect clarity and a scratchless surface. While you have the gauge front off, you can use a piece of microfiber cloth doubled over and some Brasso polish. Place the cloth on a flat clean surface, apply the Brasso to the cloth sufficiently to cover the width of the perspex diameter, and polish both front and back surfaces until they are both super polished and clear. This will take aprox 3 minutes of buffing and well worth the effort.

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As you can see, I opened all the gauges, and cleaned, polished and re-painted the needles with fresh red dayglo paint. The original paint had faded to a dull orange.... :wink:
Last edited by Southernboy on Wed 28 May, 2014 11:45, edited 3 times in total.
"Normal is overrated"
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Boysie
Joined: Sat 23 Apr, 2005 14:24
Posts: 1654

  M roadster S50
Location: Wallington Surrey
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Re: REMOVING THE CHROME GAUGE BEZELS on "M Gauges"

Post by Boysie »

I'd love you as a neighbour Barry :D
Ray

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S50 ///M Roadster, Arctic Silver, Imola Red/Black interior
1970 Austin Healey Sprite, Original ' Now Sold :-(
2002 Harley 1130cc V Rod Custom

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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: REMOVING THE CHROME GAUGE BEZELS on "M Gauges"

Post by Southernboy »

.... :lol: careful what you wish for... :wink:
"Normal is overrated"
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Mint
Joined: Tue 01 Nov, 2011 18:43
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Re: REMOVING THE CHROME GAUGE BEZELS on "M Gauges"

Post by Mint »

Fantastic attention to detail Barry. Great job :D
martyb
Joined: Thu 10 Jan, 2013 16:53
Posts: 308

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: REMOVING THE CHROME GAUGE BEZELS on "M Gauges"

Post by martyb »

Very nice barry! Top job... ideas :rtm:
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Boysie
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  M roadster S50
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Re: REMOVING THE CHROME GAUGE BEZELS on "M Gauges"

Post by Boysie »

Hi Barry
I noticed tonight I have a few bulbs gone on the heater controls
on the centre and one on the right are not working
Have you repaced these
I feel I remember something in the knowledge scetion
Ray

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S50 ///M Roadster, Arctic Silver, Imola Red/Black interior
1970 Austin Healey Sprite, Original ' Now Sold :-(
2002 Harley 1130cc V Rod Custom

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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: REMOVING THE CHROME GAUGE BEZELS on "M Gauges"

Post by Southernboy »

Easiest way to access them is to remove the head unit and reach in and down through there... there's only 2 bulbs, one right and one left.... between them they light up all 3 knobs. They simply press into their respective holes.
If like me, you have large hands, it may be easier to remove the 2 screws from the side of the console under the dash and bend it outwards so you can reach in from there. You will need a light source though, which is best positioned in the headunit aperture...
I use a small foam cushion on the garage floor to kneel on and then lean into the car to do that job... That's how I removed / replaced the 3 gauges to restore them... You will need 2 of those reall small bulbs about 15mm long and 5mm diameter which press into the socket.. TBH, I can't recall if they are the ones that come complete with socket or the socket is a part of the loom and just the bulb needs replacing... big difference in cost though. I do know I recentlyhad an issue with that aspect and modified all the in dash micro bulb fittings to take a replaceable bulb only. The difference in cost is huge. £'s for the complete socket & ulb unit, and a few pence for the bulb only. I did a search on eBay and found that one could buy a Merc socket for a couple of £'s which would there-after allow the bulb only replacement scenario... made more sense since these little chaps seem to fuse fairly regularly....hope this helps you :wink:
"Normal is overrated"
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Boysie
Joined: Sat 23 Apr, 2005 14:24
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  M roadster S50
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Re: REMOVING THE CHROME GAUGE BEZELS on "M Gauges"

Post by Boysie »

Hi Barry
Reading your thread I must have only one bulb blown then on the right
You say they keep blowing, this a first for me from purchasing over 14 years
I did think about going in from the side via footwell as you mentioned
if my memory serves me, I did this on my 1.9zed some 16 years ago
I couldn't remember if it was it for bulbs though ?
A nice warm day I'll have a look
Ray

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S50 ///M Roadster, Arctic Silver, Imola Red/Black interior
1970 Austin Healey Sprite, Original ' Now Sold :-(
2002 Harley 1130cc V Rod Custom

Image
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Southernboy
Joined: Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:39
Posts: 6436

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Johannesburg

Re: REMOVING THE CHROME GAUGE BEZELS on "M Gauges"

Post by Southernboy »

I have updated my description of "HOW TO" at the top of this thread... It includes details of re-setting the correct positions of the various needles on these gauges. Anyone interested in doing this job, please read the additional guide I have provided - all new info is in colour... :wink:
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