I need to relpace the lens on my gauge cluster on my 70 model, but the dash is such a large piece I'm almost scared to start digging around for screws to take out. Anyone have any secrets to help get this done????
Thanks, Ron

For me, a GM Assembly Manual proved to be a huge benefit when working on various components, especially the order of assembly/disassembly. I recommend one for anyone who wants to be a DIYer. I don't have this particular item but I have also heard that the official GM service manuals for the dealer service techs are helpful.

Also, perhaps someone here very familiar with that particular aspect of a '70 might chime in.

Did you try an online search for any instructions/diagrams for this?

There's no real secret. Just methodical disassembly. You'll have to pull your entire dash to remove the gauge cluster. There' no practical way to do it with the dash in place. Once the cluster is out, you'll be able to remove the lens - either by melting the plastic stakes with a soldering iron or by carefully drilling the "heads" off. If it were me doing it, I'd pull my radio out first to get all of that weight off of the center of the dash which is the most fragile part. Also, once the dash assembly is unattached from it's mounting points, have a helper handle one end while you handle the other end. It's not heavy. just vunerable due to its extreme width. (Fragile in the middle, again.) The reproduction lens that is available is an excellent fit by the way.

Good luck. Feel free to pm or e-mail me if you have any questions.

If you have the SS or round gauge dash, this will help you out....

http://macc.chevelles.net/70dash.html

I used what Phil posted for my total removal. It was great to have on-hand.

If you're only removing to take the cluster out, you can replace the bolts on the far ends with longer threaded bolts, take out the remaining bolts, and prop the dash from underneath to save weight on the end bolts.

Thanks guys, everything has been helpful. I'm going to give it a try this weekend when I can devote all day to it, and maybe that'll be enough time to fix all the stuff I tear up.......I'll let you know.....Joining Team Chevelle has been great!!!!

Did mine last fall. I know the scary feeling, before you start. But now that it's all done it didn't seem that bad. A camera to take as few shots as you go is always helpful for remembering how wires were routed and such. Most of the plugs are different to you can't mess that up.

Be patient with melting the plastic lense stakes. I don't know how many times I went around before they were all free. I polished mine up with a two part system from a paint store and put it back on. Looks great!

Be careful cleaning the actual gauges. You can wipe the numbers off real easily. Good luck. Take your time and you'll do fine.

Be patient with melting the plastic lense stakes. I don't know how many times I went around before they were all free. I polished mine up with a two part system from a paint store and put it back on. Looks great!

Be careful cleaning the actual gauges. You can wipe the numbers off real easily. Good luck. Take your time and you'll do fine.

I replaced my lens, but kept the housing. I ended up carefully gluing the lens to the posts and housing since there wasn't too many posts left to re-melt. Don't use any cleaner if you can help it on the gauge faces. Even windex can remove the lettering.

Don't use any cleaner if you can help it on the gauge faces. Even windex can remove the lettering.

Right. I just took a real soft cloth and removed what dust I could WITHOUT really touching the letters. Even though I wanted to rub, I resisted. Now that it's all back together it looks great.