Just noticed a small crack starting at the bottom of the perspex screen that covers the speedometer cluster. About half an inch long, no idea how that happened.

Does anybody know if just the screen can be replaced or does the whole module need replacing and does anybody have instructions how to replace this.

 

Officially it will be the whole unit, which in the UK will mean resetting your odometer unless you can find a friendly company to clone the eeprom over from your cracked one. I would have that replacement done by a main dealer (even if you provide the new cluster yourself, which I wouldn't bother with to ensure I did not get the wrong one) so it is permanently recorded on the OSH as a new cluster will affect the resale value slightly (and significantly if you cannot evidence it).

Unofficially if it is just the perspex and the cluster itself is working fine then I would attempt a repair. Is it actually perspex? You need to check and if so and the crack is hairline then a 1 part acrylic weld applied from the tip of a sewing needle directly onto the crack should weld it shut and it will be totally invisible afterwards. There is a learned technique to cosmetically welding cracked acrylic so if you want to try that route feel free to PM me and we can discuss in more detail.

Otherwise buy a second hand one from a breaker and disassemble it to swap them over. I've not handled the X351 cluster, but others are normally glued in with a kind of silicone that can be softened and carefully plied apart with heat (if you have ever taken a headlamp unit apart you will know the stuff). Don't apply too much heat too quickly to perspex as it will melt (and catch fire). Use a hair drier not a heat gun!

I would try all the options above as 2, 3 and then 1, in order of cost.

 

Thanks for all the info. I think trying to repair the crack will be my best option. I will take the unit out and have a look at it in more detail. I will keep you updated on progress. Thanks again.

 

Just be aware that if it is perspex is is probably extruded so be extremely careful with the solvent weld and apply only a tiny amount to avoid crazing it. Once done you can polish it up to remove minor surface marks.