cluster removal

Hi everyone, I was wondering how do you remove the instrument cluster? I have a 73 Comet. I removed the two screws in the upper part of the cluster but it doesn't seem to want to pop out, is there anything else holding it in? I didn't try to hard to pull on it, maybe I'm just not pulling on it with enough force.
Thanks everyone.

 

You need to disconnect the speedometer cable and wiring or it won't move far. After that there are two tabs on the bottom holding it in place. You'll want to tip the top toward you and pull it up and out.

 

It will act like its not gonna come out and hit he column of the steering wheel. Be patient and keep working on the tilt angle. I twill come out.

 

I would remove/loosen the cable at the transmission b4 pulling on the cluster -- I find that's the best and easiest way.

 

Thank you everyone. I'll check cable first,, does it just thread off at transmission?

 

It is held by fork type clamp, loosen/remove bolt, either 5/16" or 3/8" , gently wiggle/pull out the metal housing/speedo gear, wrap in plastic sandwich bag to keep tranny oil from dripping. Then you will have enough slack to remove the cluster and then you can disconnect the speedo cable, squeeze the white plastic clip/housing and cable should come off from back of cluster.
David

You may want to plug the hole where you removed the cable from transmission with paper towel/rag to keep any dirt/debris out.......

 

Agreed but if fluid runs out, the trans is seriously overfilled...

 

sometimes there is a clamp up under the floorboard that holds the cable, check for that. for me that's all I had to loosen, left the cable hooked to the transmission.

 

Thank you very much again everybody. I gotta fix the cluster lights, never worked since I've owned this car. When I drove it home years ago I used a flashlight to watch the speedo, lol.

 

More often than not it is the dimer switch that is causing the lights to not work, still need to take the cluster out to get to it though. When you get the cluster out there are better bulbs than factory replacements to put back in, I will let others tell what type they have used

 

More than likely it is the fuse that is burned out.

 

I swapped the factory 194's to the 5W5 bulbs...they swapped to LED's...then added the white face underlay. Now I can see the fuel gauge at night.

 

Whether it is the fuse, dimmer switch, whatever. If you take the cluster out, replace the 3 dash lights with LED bulbs. The ones we used are from a place called HiPo Parts. Their sku was 194-5SMD-WM. They work with the dimmer switch like original incandescent bulbs, but you will be able to see the cluster at night, unlike original incandescent bulbs.

 

Thanks again everyone, I haven't pulled it out yet. too cold here. lol. If I have too, how do you remove the dimmer switch?