Instrument cluster fitment

Hi
I am having problems fitting the instrument cluster on my 76 Kombi.
The four screws and the springy things mainly the left side are giving me grief. The left hand side ones only turn when you have run out of screw to hold them
in position. Any tips or help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Are you installing a new/replacement instrument cluster?

Did you rip out the old one for a sticky, and it's not going back in again?

It's really a pretty basic procedure, and you shouldn't be having any grief. More info please.

I replaced two of the four screws with the same, but about 10 mm longer (you may as well get all four...). That's enough to make a tricky job straightforward.

hth

It is not a new instrument cluster.
I removed the cluster for access to fit oil press, oil temp, voltmeter and tacho gauges, new radio with speakers, plus central locking, and associated wiring – plus while I had it that far apart, I decided to remove the dashboard and have it sandblasted and powdercoated. One thing led to another.
Back to those little springy things.
The two screws on the left hand side don't appear to allow sufficient room to turn the springy things while still attached to the screw. When I push them through in the right position, they just tighten up a bit but dont go behind the dash lip as they should. I cannot get my fingers up behind as the hazard switch is in the way on the bottom one (I removed it, but no help), and the ventilation levers restrict my putting my hand near the top.
It's a basic procedure I'm sure, but what is it. I could buy longer screws, but?
Thanks

Well it's a couple of months since I did this, but I couldn't get more than two of the clips to seat properly; once I replaced two of the screws with longer ones, there was enough clearance to get all four properly seated using needle-nose pliers, from recollection.

Whilst this simplified the refit, I'm not going out to the garage to pull the cluster out again just to check it, thanks all the same....

hth

Rip your hands off, and wash them hot in the machine. They are bound to shrink. Then you can reattach them, and get to all those places you want! Sorry, there are still places on a VW that are as hard to get to as a Japanese Car. Got any kids?

New, longer screws may be a real time and stress saver. Who needs the grief? Just make sure that they leave clearance for your Heater/vent levers.

The problem may be that whilst at the powdercoaters, you have inadvertantly introduced a buckle where you don't need one, messing up your screw positions. I don't think that the new coat would have influenced the tolerances that much, but for the fine screws, a slight bend can be murder.

Interesting to hear tho', cause I want to do the same thing to my dash. I may even replace my vertical plate, some bastard cut a stereo hole with his eyes closed. I'll know what to look for now. Taa!

P.S. what'd the central locking system cost?

[Edited on 8-3-2004 by vwombat]

[Edited on 9-3-2004 by vwombat]

Looks like the longer screws may be the go, will give it another try before giving up.
Would recommend sandblasting and powdercoating, minimal cost for excellent result.
Central locking on two doors supplied from Jaycar electronics at a cost of $25 on special.