How To Repair Fox Body Mustang Instrument Bezel (87-93)

Removal Procedure

1. Underneath the dash loosen and remove the (3) 8mm retaining bolts.




2. Pull straight out in one motion to remove the lower dash panel and dislodge the clips from the metal support plate.




3. Loosen and remove the (2) 8mm bolts securing both the metal plate and lower portion of the instrument bezel.




4. Loosen and remove the small T-20 or 7mm screw from the right-hand side of the instrument bezel.




5. Locate the two small plastic tabs tucked behind the hazard switch, carefully depress the clips with a small flat head screw driver while gently pulling out on the switch.




6. Once the switch has been dislodged from the instrument bezel carefully dislodge the clips securing each electrical connection.




7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the headlight switch on the left hand side of the bezel.



8. Tuck the wires into the bezel, then remove the bezel from the car.




9. Loosen and remove the (4) T-20 or 7mm screws securing the instrument cluster to the dash.




10. Bring the cluster forward to expose as much of the backside as possible, press the speedo cable towards the cluster while depressing the white clip to remove it from the shaft.




11. You will have to squeeze the tab on both electrical connections to remove them from the back of the cluster, then set the cluster aside.




12. To repair the bezel, precisely cut the template from the instructions with a pair of scissors or a utility blade. Then apply a piece of painters' tape to the backside, then stick it to the dash.

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13. Position the 3/16 drill bit over the hole, then remove the template to begin drilling on a low setting while applying a small amount of downward pressure, being careful not to damage the area. If the old U nuts are still intact you can go ahead and remove them at this time.




14. Using any of the provided screws, cut threads into the repair brackets while supporting the bracket with either Pliers or a Vise. (The larger hole in the smaller bracket will not have threads).




15. Use the larger of the brackets and position the notched end into the dash, then align it with the hole and install one of the short 7mm screws. (Leave the screw a little loose for final adjustment). The screw may come in contact with the HVAC tube, however, there’s nothing to worry about as it will not penetrate the tube.




16. On the right-hand side of the dash install the supplied speed clip to the left-hand side of the recessed groove in the dash, press it all the way until the base of the clip bottoms out at the edge of the dash.




17. Once the clip has been installed mark the hole, then remove the speed clip then carefully drill a 3/16 hole at a low speed to avoid any damage.




18. Reinstall the speed nut then align the large hole in the bracket with the speed nut. Loosely tighten one of the short screws.




19. Now it is time to check for bezel and bracket alignment, start by tucking the electrical harnesses into the dash and reinstall the instrument bezel to check the alignment.




20. If one side does not align then remove the bezel and bracket, then carefully trim away the broken plastic. This can be done by heating up a new utility blade and cutting the plastic. Once you achieve an acceptable finish reinstall the bracket and the screw. (depending on the condition of the car you may have to trim some plastic from both sides).




21. Check the alignment of the bezel again and once it is properly aligned, remove the bezel one last time to tighten both screws.

Installation Procedure

1. Re-position the instrument cluster into the dash, and connect the electrical connections, then reinstall the speedo cable and verify that it fully engages to the cluster shaft.




2. Set the instrument cluster into place then reinstall and retighten the retaining screws.




3. (Optional) You can also use the (2) provided 7mm long screws to retain the lower corners of the instrument cluster. This will allow you to utilize the factory screws at the top of the instrument bezel.




4. Reposition the instrument bezel, then pass the electrical connections through their respective opening.




5. Align the top of the bezel with the repair brackets and install the (2) screws. Be sure not to over tighten the screws.




6. Reconnect the headlight switch connections then reinstall the switch. Repeat the same step for the hazard switch as well.




7. Reinstall the bottom 7mm screw that secures the instrument bezel support rod to the dash.




8. Align the metal reinforcement plate and reinstall the (2) upper 8mm bolts. (do not over tighten as it can cause the bezel and the dash to crack).




9. Reposition the plastic trim and align the (2) clips with the openings in the metal plate. To fully seat the trim piece lightly tap it into place.




10. Align the lower retaining points and reinstall the (3) bolts.




11. The last step is to reinstall the upper and lower steering column shrouds and retighten the retaining screws.





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