Odd little query here. These wire straps on each of the two larger gauges on the dash are they for constraint/support and keeping the unit in place OR conductivity/earthing or some other function entirely.? Having relayered the dash wood with resin the small gauges fit back in place but the large ones do not.

 

They look like the wavy pressure rings that fit around the outside of the tach/speedo against the outer lip of the gauge. As you know, those two gauges are removed by pushing in and twisting (don't remember which way, but there are only two options) about half an inch. These rings would hold the gauge against the twist-lock in the dash and keep it from rattling or falling out.

If you veneered over the existing veneer, you quite probably won't get the big gauges back in properly, the thicker dash face is now preventing you from pushing them in far enough to engage the twist-locks. Try fitting the gauges without the rings and see where you stand. May be a work around there.

Dave

 

exactly . I was pondering along the line of whether I could ditch them to help with the positioning now that they fit so tight they do not move at all....

 

Mostly they keep the gauges from rattling. If yours are tight enough to not rattle, you probably don't need to install them. However, you probably do NOT want to ditch them in the can, as the day might come when you'll want them.

You might as well have a bin of "Spare Jag Parts" like the rest of us do if you don't already have one.
(';')

 

springs to force the speedo and tach to remain where you rotate them. If you remove them from the gauges, there will be too much play and they will not stay put. If they are too difficult to press back and rotate, lube them with sewing machine oil and lube the metal track at the dash. Or use petroleum jelly, same effect.