Question about voltage limiter

I took the entire cluster out........ I soldered all the board pins, then opened the gas gauge carefully and bent the contact point arm so it does not make contact with the other side. While in there watching not to damage the fine wires. I followed RTE's diagram for mounting the external IVR3 to the back of the big board.
If you grabbed that beam with needle nose and bent it like they say/show you could have shorted that wire to the beam its wound upon. The instrument should have been isolated from chassis ground whether it was opened or not. Truth is, it never really needed to be opened. If that limiter aint grounded it can't do squat. But if it is/was a short circuit, it still is a short circuit, just that simple.
Does RTE not recommend the back of the fuel gauge be isolated from the inst' housing? Last time I looked ( a few years ago ) they did not. I still say Real Time means "gone fishing" and you can tell 'em I said so... if they ever reply. LOL