e30 cluster help

[TSI]

One more step towards driveability...
I'm trying to reinstall the cluster in the E30 cab, after changing the SI board batteries (fingers crossed). At some point in the car's history, someone hacked up the cluster trim and completely messed it up (lost some screws, used some longer ones and broke the SI board housing.


However, I can't seem to fit the cluster back in. On the driver's side, there appears to be a metal tube of some kind which prevents the cluster from reaching the necessary position (where the screws would line up). I've wrestled with it for three hours, to no avail. Is there something I'm missing here?

[TSI]

Cluster is in, but not fitting right...impossible to get the screws into the bottom corners.

[frankie591]

pics might help. I can't really picture what the issue is.

[Ceeker]

you really gotta get someone with more experience to work on your car Matt. LOL..

Bring the car by my place and we'll get it back in. how much you wanna bet I can get it back in??

[TSI]

Well, I gotta build the experience somehow.

@frankie: I can't get a camera in there, but the cluster isalmost perfectly in place. Problem is, the bottom left corner is sitting a little high. Reaching behind it from under the wheel, the problem is the blue cluster housing is being wedged against a black metal tube which runs behind the corner of the cluster. It's missing about 2mm clearance, as far as I can tell.