Ive searched for quite a while, but Im still unsure of how to remove the trim around the gauge cluster on a 00 TA. Every write up I read says to remove 2 screws and 4 snap clips. The clips are no problem, but there arent any screws on my trim. I didnt want to just pull because I dont want to crack the trim piece. Can anyone help me on how to remove it?

 

There are two screws at the bottom, and two on the top when its still i nthe car, when the cluster is out of the car all you have left are the four clips.

 

Are you talking about the actual cluster or the dash piece that goes over top of it? Im having trouble removing the dash piece that covers the cluster and clear lense.

 

Just pull that bitch off, LOL. It's just held on by some clips & straigh plastic pieces to keep it aligned. Be careful though cause those plastic pieces on the back will break easily.

I find it easiest to do it this way.

1. Pop it loose completely
2. unwrap the foam from around the fog light plug & disconnect it
3. tilt steering wheel as far down as possible
4. turn & wiggle the entire piece to get it out

Then once it's out you'll see the 4 screws everyone is talking about. Those are to remove the cluster. Once you get the 4 screws out you can pull the cluster as a whole piece if you want. Thats how I do it, but you have to maneuver it around to get it out. Once it's out you'll notice the 4 tabs atound the lense assembly & cluster. Thats how you separate those.

 

It also might be easier to remove the kick panel below your steering wheel which is held on by two screws in the middle and two on the bottom. Once thats removed it gives you even more room. Another tip is the plastic cover on your steering wheel shaft (right behind the adjuster) comes off which gives you more room to move the giant dash panel around.
Here's my steps that I did (actually twice this week :bang) Should take you a bit if your careful but you'll get through it.

1. undo kick the panel at the bottom, 2 screws in the middle, 2 on the bottom
2. undo the wiring for the trunk release
3. if you want even more room, remove the plastice piece behind the blinker/steering wheel adjuster, it will just slide out.
4. loosen/pull out the dash panel which is held in by push pins around the entire dash, but make sure steering wheel is all the way DOWN! It will take some moving/twisting around to get it out but be careful that you dont scratch the lens on your guages with the push pins while trying to pull it out.
5. pull out the wiring for fog lights till the foam piece is reached, unwrap that and unhook the wiring. Save the foam to re-wrap the connector.
6. now that the plastic piece is out of the way, your left looking at your guage cluster with the lens attached.
7. Take a socket and remove the 4 bolts holding in the whole cluster. 2 on top, 2 on the bottom.
8. Grasp firmly and pull the whole cluster straight back towards you. Dont be scared when you do this. The cluster itself has a plug built into the back of it, which in turn is pluged into the harness behind that. Just give a little pull, it'll come off.
9. To get the whole cluster out over your steering wheel and out of the tight area, this requires some tilting and maneuvering and lots of patients! It will come out with the right angles.
10. Once thats out you'll have the whole guage cluster in your hands and then you'll notice the black plastic tabs holding the lens to the cluster. Undo those and then you have that seperated. Just becareful of the needles when go to pull off the lens that they aren't resting on the bezel. Also be careful when you re-install the lens/bezel onto the cluster as the needles have movement in them and can be pinched under the bezel when you go to snap it back together.

To re-install, just reverse the whole process.

 

Thanks for all the help. I got the cluster out today and got the bulbs replaced with leds. Now I just have to wait until its dark out so I can see which ones are lit and which ones I need to turn around.