SeanyFeehan
New Member
- Messages
- 1
I spotted this thread when searching for information to do the same thing to my car, i.e. remove the clock from my 1999 3200 GT without removing the entire dash.
The chrome on my clock wasn't 100% but still decent-ish. I wanted a new clock though.
Start by removing the top vent from the dash (2 x screws), and then the two round ones either side of the clock (Plastic tabs inside the outer edge)
There's a backing plate that the clock slots into which is held to the inside of the dash by 4 screws. The clock slides through this plate and is secured by the metal tabs on the body of the clock engaging with the backing plate. It "clicks" into place after sliding through the backing plate.
I've heard several accounts of people mangling these tabs when removing the clock so be careful.
I used a right-angle screwdriver (one with a screwdriver bit and a "gearbox") to remove the screws holding the backing plate in place. I inserted this from the top vent and got it into position by putting my hands through the two vents on either side of the clock.
With the clock/plate combo dismounted from the dash, I pushed the whole lot into the space inside dash where I could easily turn it all around whichever way I wanted. I was then able to manoeuvre the clock into position so that I could push the tabs on the clock to disengage them fully from the backing plate and simply remove the clock with minimum damage. This way you can resell the clock on eBay.
I can't see how you could do this without a right-angle screwdriver, but perhaps there is another way. I'm open to other methods.
To fit the new clock, simply re-mount the backing plate and push the new clock into position so that it "clicks" into place with it's new locking tabs. Remounting the backing plarte is far easier than dismounting it because the clock body isn't in the way.
Took me 2 hours in total to replace my clock, and I would say that while it's not ridiculously difficult, it is very very finnicky and you'd want to be pretty dexterous to try it. I dropped one screw but was lucky with where it landed so could retrieve it easily. This might not always be the case. Have a magnet or a grabber ready just in case.
The chrome on my clock wasn't 100% but still decent-ish. I wanted a new clock though.
Start by removing the top vent from the dash (2 x screws), and then the two round ones either side of the clock (Plastic tabs inside the outer edge)
There's a backing plate that the clock slots into which is held to the inside of the dash by 4 screws. The clock slides through this plate and is secured by the metal tabs on the body of the clock engaging with the backing plate. It "clicks" into place after sliding through the backing plate.
I've heard several accounts of people mangling these tabs when removing the clock so be careful.
I used a right-angle screwdriver (one with a screwdriver bit and a "gearbox") to remove the screws holding the backing plate in place. I inserted this from the top vent and got it into position by putting my hands through the two vents on either side of the clock.
With the clock/plate combo dismounted from the dash, I pushed the whole lot into the space inside dash where I could easily turn it all around whichever way I wanted. I was then able to manoeuvre the clock into position so that I could push the tabs on the clock to disengage them fully from the backing plate and simply remove the clock with minimum damage. This way you can resell the clock on eBay.
I can't see how you could do this without a right-angle screwdriver, but perhaps there is another way. I'm open to other methods.
To fit the new clock, simply re-mount the backing plate and push the new clock into position so that it "clicks" into place with it's new locking tabs. Remounting the backing plarte is far easier than dismounting it because the clock body isn't in the way.
Took me 2 hours in total to replace my clock, and I would say that while it's not ridiculously difficult, it is very very finnicky and you'd want to be pretty dexterous to try it. I dropped one screw but was lucky with where it landed so could retrieve it easily. This might not always be the case. Have a magnet or a grabber ready just in case.
