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I found another way to attach the gauge console studs rather than using those tiny nuts which were driving me crazy. I used long coupling nuts that allow much better access. I tightened them by using a socket wrench.
The stick nuts are definitely doable but coupling nuts make it much easier (I use a wrench which can get on there anywhere and even at quite an angle and still engage the coupling nut fully)
Then again if I'd stop taking the cluster out I'd probably not have to worry about it
I do not use any nuts. I cut the stud length down to just locate the cluster. It is heavy enough and with all of the other five screws holding it, it stays put. Been that way for 43 years and the 96,000 miles I have put on my 68 coupe. Lou.
Hey.....and I thought I was the genius....LOL. Upon reassembling my console last month I too found that the small nuts were near impossible to get started. I went down to my local Fastenal and procured the extended nuts and bam the assembly went easy.
Thanks for posting though as it will save the next guy a bunch of aggravation.
I just had mine out two weeks ago to swap a gauge and I just loosened them and slid it out of the slots, not removing from the stud. I had previously replaced with nuts with the attached star washers. It went pretty easy with a ratchet style box end wrench. I thought of wing nuts but I think the couplers are the best idea I've seen. Thanks for sharing.
Gauge console stud nut substitute
