Instrument Cluster bulb replacement 1971 Mark III

[stovebolt1]

Good evening;
I'm looking to replace the instrument cluster lights in my 1971 Mark III (the three rightmost are dark) - the FLM manual says to remove the 5 screws holding the dash pad in place and remove it completely to get to the cluster mask. That dash pad goes all of the way around the dash, top-to-bottom, left-to-right, door-to-door. Does that entire pad assembly need to come out or am I misinterpreting something obvious in the manual.



Is there a simpler way to get to the instrument cluster lights?

Are the eight push-type retainer buttons referenced in step 3 visible from the front of the mask? Or are the retainer buttons a part of the mask and I just need to pull that mask forward. Don't want to break it.

Thanks - Stovebolt

 

[stovebolt1]

Ha ha! Figured it out. You can just take the trim bezel that runs from one end of the dash to the other out. For future reference:

1) Remove the 5 screws beneath the dash pad, they hold the bezel in place.
2) Unscrew the map light housing and let it drop down as it needs to be moved out of the way to allow you to pull the bezel forward.
3) Unscrew the cruise control assembly to the left of the steering wheel. Let it drop down as, like the map light, it will block removal of the bezel.
4) With those off, slowly pry the bezel forward. I started around the A/C vent on the passenger side, using a trim tool to pry it forward. Once the bezel had come forward a bit I could get fingers behind it and slowly pull it forward, alternating between ends of the bezel to ensure that it didn't snap.

What the manual doesn't tell you is that those 5 screws hold the bezel in place, not the dash.

 

[Action]

As a suggestion, the plastic bezel and any plastic parts are 50+ years old.
I treat all sides and the pins of any plastic like that to wipe off any dirt. (That may impede panel remove) And to give a lil life back to the plastic.
I use a Maguires product. And Muthers or 303 make product too.

It's not like you can buy a new replacement. And some of the old stuff from a donor vehicle is in worse shape,

Action

 

[stovebolt1]

Sound advice. I'm a fan of 303 products.