This may be covered elsewhere, but my room temperature IQ is having a hard time finding the info I need. I have decided to change the faces on my current instrument cluster from the original black to silver/aluminum (don't hate me) and have a technical question.

I just happen to have a salvage/spare instrument cluster that I have been practicing on, and it seems disassembling one is relatively easy (but delicate) work.

Here's my question: what is the best procedure when removing and replacing the needles from the dials? Specifically, removing them was easy (using a special tool that lifts them straight up), but I notice when I reinstalled the speedo and tach needles, they can easily be moved in any direction (but will remain in the position I leave them). Is this normal? How best to calibrate where the needle should be placed prior to reinstalling the cluster and firing up the car?

If anyone has another forum entry/link, pics, or even step-by-step verbiage that describes changing the dial faces (and addresses concerns/tips for the needles), I'd appreciate it. Thanks and I apologize in advance if I've created a duplicate post.

FYI, my car is a 2001 C2 6-Spd Manual Coupe.