Too many grab the beam with the trusty needle nose plier and bend it. Crunchy fiber insulation can be lost which shorts the ni-chrome winding to the beam. So? You ask,,,
if that gauge can isn't isolated from chassis ground the 5 volts can backfeed through what is the equilivant of a 4th and fecked up gauge in the circuit.. Just isolate the can from ground just as any 2 post gauge is (lift those and look for yourself). Take the 12 volt supply wire out of the cars harness connector and route it to your outboard regulator where ever you choose to place it. You dont want or need 12 volts at or in a thermal gauge.
Finally, to those that advise "open the can and bend the thingy ( like Rick Erinburg), I advise them where they can go.