Thanks guys for all the suggestions. I ended up cutting the top half of the nut off with a dremel and then drilling out the bolt. What a PITA! That will teach me to locktite that acorn nut(LOL).

 

I just saw this post. I had the same thing happened to me last year. I tried all the suggestions mentioned and no luck. I finally used the dremel and a cut off wheel like you did except I cut the nut very close to the console and then made a careful down cut to split the nut. Went real slow and careful and it worked like a charm...but I sure was sweatin it when I started.

 

Little off topic here but what are some good bits for a dremmel? I've had a dremmel for about 15 years and used it only occasionally. But the times I did use it, it seems the tools wore out rather quickly. I now need to cut off some welded nuts on the inside of a pair of struts, without doing any damage to the finish.

Any suggestions?

 

I use something like this alot to cut metal and they do a great job. There are different sizes and grits.
http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Attachme...l.aspx?pid=409

They do wear out fairly quickly and will disintegrate if you put the wrong pressure on them so use safety glasses. Dremel has a bit to do just about anything you need. I love use mine and use it often.

 

Yes on the cut-off wheels mentioned above, but buy the fiberglass reinforced ones. I think they are advertised as the "Heavy Duty" version, of the one mentioned above. I have used those for some pretty tough jobs, and they will eventually wear down to small to use, but rarely break. The lightweight versions always shatter and crumble when you try to REALLY use them as a true cutting wheel.

 

We're crossing our fingers the rest of your gauge install goes more smoothly.

 

HAVE YOU CUT IT YET? the first time I undone that nut the bolt came out with it!...ever since that occasion just the nut unscrews..how many turns did you do? maybe the bolt is going to come with the nut..not a problem.

 

Thanks for your help. I also have available (at work) an air tool larger than a dremmel, with various bits. I may take it to work and try that tool before spending any money on the dremmel bits.