Instrument Cluster - Trim Panel Buckling

91ford15

Article No.
91-7-2

04/05/91


INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TRIM PANEL - ALUMINUM INSERT BUCKLES ABOVE CLUSTER


LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1989-90 CONTINENTAL


ISSUE: The black aluminum insert may buckle away from the wood grained cluster trim panel in an area above the speedometer opening. It buckles outward because it is restricted from expanding by RTV adhesive which was applied on the ends.

ACTION: Install a new aluminum insert without using adhesive. Refer to the following procedure for service details.


CAUTION: DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF ADHESIVE OR GLUE WHEN INSTALLING THE NEW PART.

REMOVAL - CLUSTER TRIM PANEL FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.

2. Set the parking brake.

3. Turn the ignition lock to off and move the shift lever down to the low gear position.

4. Tilt the steering column down as far as possible.

5. Remove the RH and LH finish mouldings by pulling up to unsnap the clips.

6. Disconnect the electrical connections.

7. Remove the five (5) Phillips screws on the bottom of the cluster trim panel.

8. Unsnap the cluster trim panel along the top and sides. Remove the trim panel from the instrument panel.

9. Disconnect the two electrical connectors from the back of the cluster trim panel.

REMOVAL - ALUMINUM INSERT FROM THE CLUSTER TRIM PANEL

1. Place the cluster trim panel face down on a soft clean surface.

Figure 1:

2. Remove the two (2) switches from the cluster trim panel to expose the aluminum insert tabs on the rear surface beneath the switches.

3. Carefully pry up the aluminum tabs and edges on the rear surface, Figure 1 (View C).

4. Turn the assembly face up.

a. Carefully pull the narrow area of the aluminum insert above the cluster opening away from the cluster trim panel.

b. Cut through the applique (insert) in the narrow area, Figure 1.

5. Carefully peel off the aluminum insert one side at a time from the cluster trim panel.

6. Inspect the plastic cluster trim panel. The silicone RTV rubber should be present only on the aluminum insert.

NOTE: REMOVE ANY REMAINING RTV FROM THE PLASTIC PART.

INSTALLATION - NEW ALUMINUM INSERT

1. Align the insert retaining tabs through the slots in the plastic panel, Figure 1. Lay the assembly face down on the soft surface.

NOTE: MAKE SURE THE ALUMINUM INSERT IS FULLY SEATED ON THE CLUSTER TRIM PANEL.

2. Carefully bend the two tabs that line up with the switch openings, Figure 1 (View A). Crimp them tight.

NOTE: THIS OPERATION IS CRITICAL BECAUSE IT LOCATES THE ALUMINUM INSERT TO THE PLASTIC CLUSTER TRIM PANEL.

3. Carefully bend the insert flanges at the LH & RH ends of the climate control opening enough to secure the insert, Figure 1 (View B).

4. Locate the retaining tabs (eight total) at the top of the insert.

a. Working from left to right, bend each tab over making sure the aluminum insert is seated in its proper position.


b. Make sure all eight tabs are bent up or down properly, Figure 1.

5. Install the two (2) switches on the cluster trim panel.

6. Install the cluster trim panel, reversing Steps # 1 through # 9 in the Removal - Cluster Trim Panel From The Instrument Panel Procedure.

PART NUMBER PART NAME CLASS

E90Y-54045F48-A Insert - Instrument Panel Finish B
Panel


OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Basic Warranty Coverage
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
910702A Replace Aluminum Insert 0.8 Hr.
DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
70045F48 02
OASIS CODES: 107000