sharan 2004 istrument cluster removal - how?

[coco]

Have done a search on how to get the instruments out from dash, cant find the bits I need

have flicked out the flexible bit above the steering wheel column
have removed the trim bit, then the dash dimmer, and headlamp switch, dropped the fuse and relay tray down

I can get at the rh torx screw that seems to be at the base of the cluster, the left one will need a flexidrive to get to it. so will do tmw , so when ive undone the two lower torx screws am I correct that I need to pop a clip on the top edge? with a ruler or similar?

then when its forward do I need steering wheel off?

and when I go in there I found this big copper braided strap, is it supposed to be connected to something, if so is this my electrical issue?

ta dave

[Chrispb]

Haynes says just lower the steering column, Ford TIS says remove steering wheel

[Mirez]

Yup those two torx and then the clip, I find it best to use small allen keys as a hook to slide in and pull out the top of the cluster.

That strap is a primary earth!!!! Essential its bolted down.

[coco]

k will use the allen trick.

one end of that strap is bolted down to the main framework that sits behind dash etc, the other end goes where?

wafting it about I cant see what it would reach - is it upwards and to the cluster? or down and to the fuses?

[Mirez]

Yeah you need small ones so you can slide them in between the cluster and the dash but with long handles so you can pull on them.

From memory it heads off backwards from your photo (assuming I have the orientation correct) towards the drivers side mini window.

[coco]

From memory it heads off backwards from your photo (assuming I have the orientation correct) towards the drivers side mini window.

ok, took another photo, the strap looks like its never been scratched by a bolt etc so think its a poets day job :-)
in the new photo, you can see the end of the strap at the back, that's bolted onto the bracing metal work that supprts the dash/steering column etc, off to the right on the bottom of the a post, behind the dash theres that domed nut with 3/4 other brown wires to it, again this is very tite, so I undid this and put it behind that.

[coco]

the left one will need a flexidrive to get to it. so will do tmw , so when ive undone the two lower torx screws am I correct that I need to pop a clip on the top edge? with a ruler or similar?

ok, got the flexidrive in, both lower torx screws are out.

fumbling in between top of cluster to unclip it, without having done it before and not having a pic of what the clip looks like to override it then I`m not able to either push from behind using gap thru relay/fuse zone or using the allen key trick. :-(

with those bottom two torxs removed should I be able to push from behind to overcome the clip, or does it need depressing to unclip?

[Mirez]

It's a rubber push clip fit, top and centre. There is nothing to unfasten or move, it just needs to be pulled out from the rubber. You can apply pressure from behind but I've yet to find any angle that allows enough force to be applied at the top so it doesn't really help, plus don't forget the back plastic pushes directly on the PCB so not something you want to apply any tool or excess force on anyway.
If the Allen keys aren't doing it for you, I've also had great success with two dining forks, with them upside down, slide the forks in at the 11 and 1 position and then lift their handles to lever out the top. It takes a reasonable amount of effort but it's purely pushed in.

[brianh]

On the mk1 it pivots down (like its on a hinge almost) due to two round posts either end of it. Not had to do it on the mk2 but TIS shows the attached if it helps any. Your looking to hook it down in some way as Mirez says.

[coco]

thankyou for both forks and this pic, its raining now and I`m a fair weather mechanic :-)
will try tmw eve if dry.

[coco]

hurrah, the forks did it for me, as long as the steering wheel as in the straight ahead position then you can get cluster out without removal of wheel.
thankyou all for assistance on how to do this bit.
will be back shortly with more questions im sure.