Is there a trick to installing burled nut near radio?

[sandlock]

When fixing my cluster and re-installing it in the car, there's the panel that's right underneath it that's attached using the two large silver burled nuts. the one on the left is pretty easy to get to (non-airbag car), but the one on the right is just out of my reach. I have long fingers, but big hands, so I end up dropping it behind the center console when almost getting it to start threading. Sigh.

What's the trick to installing this right-most burled nut?

[Swanny]

On the trim piece right under the cluster? If you crawl under there it really isn't too hard to reach to get spinning. Its mostly just the angle of attack that makes it difficult.

[reelizmpro]

long fingers.

It's a tough one, especially putting it on.

[36brua]

knurled not burled

[Cephas]

Yup, it's more about the angle on this one than anything else. I reach in there without the nut to feel where the splines are before I attempt to twist the nut on.

I find it helps to be spatially aware of where you're working even if you can't see it.

[mr.vang]

Ask one of your kids or siblings with small hand to do it for you.

[sandlock]

Oh I've gone through the karate kid, blind install route...it's just about all blind anyways due to where it is. I tried getting needle nose pliers, with the nut grabbed, in there to start the thread then finish up with my hands, but alas there's not enough room in the gap. I've tried being on my back in the foot well without success. I think recruiting someone with small hands is next on the menu.

Thanks for the suggestions, folks. Glad to know I'm not crazy.

[Swanny]

I say head over to a tai massage parlor...pay for the massage but make them put on the nut -> happy ending -> all kinds of winning

[jeffnhiscars]

Ive done this so many times its amazing I havent just taken a ball peen hammer to something. If you try it with the panel out its still not easy given the finer thread and the beveled opening that I presume is supposed to help get it started. It really does feel like its cross threaded and wont go on.

Reality is that the knob has to be dead square to get it started and the bevel makes that a bit of a balancing act in tight quarters. I have had the most luck using my my middle 3 fingers on my left hand while kneeling on the ground and reaching in for a better attack angle...and yes, slender hands/fingers help.

I too have one poor knob living behind my center console so I feel your pain.

[sandlock]

I'm going to give myself about 10mins in this heat to try it again today with a few slightly different attack angles. GD this has been an eyesore for months!

[FLG]

I have no issues with screwing that one on. Too bad your not local.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[cabriodster87]

Balance nut on index finger, put nut on stud, center the nut, while holding, spin nut with middle finger, done.

[jeffnhiscars]

The only down side to leaving that nut out is that the panel may stick out a tiny bit and it could buzz now and again. Hardly worth a nervous breakdown :-)

[Semblance]

I did mine today and found that the nut has different sides. One is sort of countersunk. While that makes it easier to set it on the screw, somehow it was way harder to actually screw on. Mine was much easier to get started with the flat side facing the screw.