I had my gauge cluster restored and they put new wood grain on the old bezel. However, the bezel they returned to me is not the one I sent them. You can see how the top of it dips on the left side. Will this be visible when it is installed? It's been a couple months since I took it apart, details are a little fuzzy. Does the light bar cover that and will it hold it up flat? Hoping to go at installation tomorrow.
I've sen them bend like that before. The dash frame will help some, but not sure how much. :notsure: I'll be curious to see how much of it straightens out when you install it.
Give it a whirl, I'm sure it will get pulled up by the lightbar.
Take some pics.
I restored mine a few months back and it was bent there as well. I've seen quite a few like this as well. I gently used a heat gun to get some of it out. It's not perfect but I didn't want to push it.
Once it's installed with light bar, I think you'll see that it's not that noticeable.
It should be fine and with the heat it will be better yet. I was doing a mock up on a full assembly on the bench and had one that was curved as much if not more than the one you show. The upper light bar will pull it back up into place and the heat gun should help it retain the correct shape, but, if parked out in the sun, it will tend to flex. And as a side note, just more facts why an ABS dash pads should be avoided, unless kept out of the heat all the time. :alan2cents:
If you sent them a straight one, and get a bent one back, I would contact them and have them make it right.
I think you'll be alright :alan2cents:
I would be concerned that the two interlocking tabs that mate with the switch panel on the left side are both broken off. Each should look like this [. That helps to keep the vertical joint between the switch panel and gauge cluster tight. That usually occurred when the gauge cluster was trying to be removed with the switch panel still mounted.
Quote from: soundcontrol on March 28, 2017, 06:49:29 AM
If you sent them a straight one, and get a bent one back, I would contact them and have them make it right.
I agree with this and let them know you have not one but two issues with this bezel.
Jim
:iagree:
:soshelp:
Quote from: soundcontrol on March 28, 2017, 06:49:29 AM
If you sent them a straight one, and get a bent one back, I would contact them and have them make it right.
:iagree: 100% No reason to even attempt to use this one if your original was straight! :bigthumb:
Wow that sucks . . . :thumbdown:
Quote from: Spikedog08 on March 28, 2017, 10:13:38 AM
Wow that sucks . . . :thumbdown:
:iagree: :pullinghair:
Quote from: soundcontrol on March 28, 2017, 06:49:29 AM
If you sent them a straight one, and get a bent one back, I would contact them and have them make it right.
In some case yes, but.........when I was removing it I somehow broke off the "post" in the top right corner that extends through the gauge cluster and it also had another crack in it. I sent him the piece because he said they could meld it back in. The one I got back shows absolutely no sign of any breakage or repair and there is no crack. If the warp doesn't show then I'm likely better off with this one.
I'd try to install it before you get all bent out of shape....I think it will be fine. :alan2cents:
Quote from: HP_Cuda on March 27, 2017, 07:23:36 PM
Give it a whirl, I'm sure it will get pulled up by the lightbar.
Take some pics.
:iagree: the light bar will hold it up