Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hello All,
My 30+ year Smith gauges have all got a bit of fog on the inside of the glass. Looking at a spare fuel gauge, there is no obvious means of removing the chrome bezel to access the interior. Anyone had any experience in opening Mr Smiths little boxes?
Phil in Tennessee
72 +2/130 ( wishing for a 5 speed some day)

There may be some differences between some of the gauges.

Turn the gauge upside down. Looking at the chrome bezel, there should be three indendations which squeeze the bezel against the housing. Using a jewelers screwdriver (or other suitable instrument), gently prise the indentations out. The bezel can be slipped off the body.

Take out the glass. Clean it, and carefully clean the gauge face (the markings will rub off the face - be careful).

If this clears up the cosmetics, reassemble the gauge. (It may be desirable to replace the O-rings etc)

David
1968 36/7988

You don't have to pry up the tabs. Just twist the bezel so the tabs line up with nothing to hold them and the bezel should come off.

Frank Howard wrote:You don't have to pry up the tabs.

Never pry the tabs up, they will break off very easily. Frank is correct, rotate the bezel until the tabs align with with the slots in the instrument housing. I have seem examples where there are more tabs than slots. In this case you can usually get two tab/slot pairs to align and then gently lift the bezel from one side and then slip it off to the other side.

Good advice to rotate the bezel instead of prying out the securing tabs.

Unfortunately, I have never been able to rotate the bezel on any of my gauges, which is why I use a jewelers screwdriver to loosen it. A rusty case does not allow the bezel to rotate. Does anybody have hints on freeeing up the bezel so it can be rotated?

Maybe I have been lucky (or cautious) but none of the metal tabs broke. But then I don't do this on a daily basis.

David
1968 36/7988

Many thanks guys, I will try to rotate the bezel first.
Phil in Tenn