Gauge Cluster Plexi glass

[89vert]

The Gauge Cluster Plexi glass on my 2007 has a crack in it . Is this piece available and what's the easiest way to perform the switch ?

 

[NoFear95]

Swap it out with a junk yard piece. I don't think this has ever been covered on this MB.

 

[Lukas2009]

Thats what you will get if you buy a new one.

 

[89vert]

Thanks . Does that piece also include the clear plexiglass that covers the gauges ?

 

[Lukas2009]

As far as I can remember the plexiglass that comes with the mask is the only plexiglass that covers the gauges.
And you should not try to change only the plexiglass. It has several plastic clips that brake very easy

 

[89vert]

Can you describe the steps in replacing this ? or is it really simple ? Thanks.

 

[waskly]

its a few bolts and pretty easy.

 

[Lukas2009]

Removing the instrument cluster is very easy.
Removing the mask from the gauges is a little bit tricky. On the picture above you can see the eight black "open" clips that hold them together.

More pictures here:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=321612

 

[tldt2003]

Removing the instrument cluster is very easy.
Removing the mask from the gauges is a little bit tricky. On the picture above you can see the eight black "open" clips that hold them together.

More pictures here:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=321612

How do you go about removing the cluster? I have to swap mine out... message center went bad.

 

[tldt2003]

Anyone have any tips on how to remove the dash around the cluster on these? Are there bolts/screws? Or do it just clip in?

 

[arcanemirage]

Thats what you will get if you buy a new one.

View attachment 392277

I can't find one of these anywhere. I have a 2006 Explorer XLT. Am I screwed?

 

[94Eddie]

I can't find one of these anywhere. I have a 2006 Explorer XLT. Am I screwed?

There are a lot of them in salvage yards. The cluster is simple to remove and takes five minutes, or less. I recommend you find one with a good plastic cover, remove it and use it as a replacement.

 

[arcanemirage]

Ok thanks! I know how to remove it, that's how I cracked it lol.

 

[94Eddie]

Ok thanks! I know how to remove it, that's how I cracked it lol.

In case you don't know, the instrument cluster is coded to the car. You can't use the salvage cluster as a direct replacement without getting it programmed. You can remove the plexiglass cover and install it on your cluster. Just be careful manipulating the tabs.

 

[arcanemirage]

In case you don't know, the instrument cluster is coded to the car. You can't use the salvage cluster as a direct replacement without getting it programmed. You can remove the plexiglass cover and install it on your cluster. Just be careful manipulating the tabs.

Thanks for the advice. I do know that, and I'd rather just replace the plexi glass and keep my gauges.

 

[94Eddie]

Thanks for the advice. I do know that, and I'd rather just replace the plexi glass and keep my gauges.

The reason I messed with the cluster was to replace the terrible Mountaineer gauge faces with the white faced Explorer ones. I broke some of the tabs on the cover but managed to find a NOS plexiglass cover on ebay. You might try there if you haven't already.

 

[flathead40]

Did it to my cracked 06 cluster. Got a inexpecive cluster with a nice cover on eBay for cheap and carfully removed the clear face and installed on my old gauge cluster. Super easy!