I am feeling intellectually challenged. If this goes on, I will have to check myself into a mental ward.

Here is what happened: I pulled the instrument cluster (1989 560 SEL) to replace gears (preventive), thermometer display, and the fat black rubber band (FBRB) going around the entire cluster tore (it must have been the cluster pullers that over time cut the band). That's easy to fix: I just stapled the band back together. The staples provide a perfect, slim splice.

But here is the IQ test: I for the world of me can't figure out how this stupid FBRB is supposed to be fit correctly back on the cluster! Does anyone have a clue?

__________________
Henry Bofinger
1989 560 SEL (black/black)
2001 Audi TT Roadster (silver/grey)

For future reference if anyone else runs into this problem:

The Fat Black Rubber Band rests on the smooth sides around the cluster, with the folded edges standing up. The notches on the top line up with the white light cones, and 90% "lip" (or folded edge) of the Band sticking straight out on the driver's (not engine) side of the cluster. This lip helps hold the cluster in place in the dash.

__________________
Henry Bofinger
1989 560 SEL (black/black)
2001 Audi TT Roadster (silver/grey)

I swear my 91 560 SEL does not have this band. If it does, I will have to be careful. I have pulled my cluster many times!

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1991 560 SEL / 185k miles
1992 750il / 17k miles - project car

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I think my cluster just had 2 thick rubber pieces glued to the bottom of the housing to help it stay in place in the dashboard. One of them fell off and my cluster is a bit loose and just a bit out of alignment in the panel. I just haven't got around to fixing it yet, not a big deal.

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1989 300E

2005 Acura TL

2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited

Swing hard! Take chances!