Larry_Vos

Folks,
Could someone steer me in the right direction to get one of those special nuts with the cones on the bottom?
I lost mine somewhere under the battery when installing a charger lead.
I know that a 'regular' nut will not adequately tighten the battery clamp, it must be tapered.
Thanks,
Jim
2005 Roadster, Z51, MZ6

CO Lightfoot

Bad news: The nut is not available as a separate item.

That is, every time I've investigated, you can only get the nut if you buy the entire clamp/cable assembly... about $200.

Definitely take the time to search for your missing nut.

Some alternative suggestions in a similar thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...t-inquiry.html

Not trying to rub salt in the wound, but you only need to loosen the nut (not remove it) to loosen & remove the clamp.

07MontRedcp

There is a very good chance that the nut ended up in the compartment behind the wheel well cover which is under the battery tray. Remove the push pins as shown and pull the cover back. If you don't see it then go in there with a pick up magnet and fish around where you can't see. I have recovered more than a few in that area when I had them roll off the fender cover or dropped them when I was around the battery. BTW, behind that black flap in the second photo is the car's ECM module.

BJK

avecsilver05

You will want to be very careful around that ECM module if you go fishing in there with a magnet. Do not put it too close to the ECM module.

07MontRedcp

The ECM is not laying on the floor of that compartment and the pickup magnet I'm suggesting is one that is on the end of a stiff but flexible 2 foot extension. The magnet is only 1/2" inch across. First time I've ever heard that the ECM could be affected by a magnet.

BJK

eboggs_jkvl

Get rid of the OEM clamps. Replace them with universal connectors.

http://www.ls2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=846931

Elmer

Eritosthenes

Why?

avecsilver05

The magnetic field of magnets has been known to mess up electronic devices (computers and the like). I guess it is possible that the ECM module is not affected by magnets. Depends on how it is constructed.

StKnoWhere

Maybe for floppy disks and magnetic stripes on a credit card but not much risk for an embedded computer behind a metal housing.

That part of the car just sucks anything you drop into it -- had to dig a small 10 mm wrench out that tried to escape when attaching my Ctech. Maybe the ECU is magnetic

07MontRedcp

Did you do that? If so then how easy was it? Are the cables still long enough afterwards?

BJK

eboggs_jkvl

It took 15 minutes. Hardest part was getting the initial "crush" of the thick wire to fit the supplied bolts. Once I got it to mash down a little, the supplied bolts worked just fine. $6 for both ends and the cables are plenty long enough. I did make sure to cut the wire off as close to the OEM clamps as possible to keep as much wire as you can for the install.

Elmer

07MontRedcp

Thanks Elmer. Just what I wanter to hear. Did you retain the stock boots?
Where did you pick up the parts?

BJK

eboggs_jkvl

Tossed the boots.

Bought a set of the felt "rings" that fit around the terminals to fight corrosion.

I believe I got the clamps at Advanced Auto Parts for $2.99

C8-Vette

The only time you would want to remove the nuts is to install eyelets that come with battery chargers like the Ctek 3300 etc.

Vette5.5

You've actually got a few lower cost option's availible. Best would be to get the lost nut back, but surely you've already tried that. Maybe pick up a standard nut, and sort through the hardware store's fitting bin looking for some sort of tapered add on piece. Also, since most later model GM car's use the same kind of cable clamp assembly, maybe just buy a used cable at the local bone yard from a wrecked Malibu or something. Might just be for the nut, but probably cheaper than spending lot's of time on it.

CO Lightfoot

Maybe. But I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a sturdy-enough cone-shaped piece that fits.

Anyway, you do NOT want to be tempted to use a standard nut with the OEM clamp... more easily corroded and then difficult-to-diagnose problems:
http://www.ls2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=846931
(link has lots of pictures, so it might load slowly).

Above link is also a good heads-up for anyone replacing their battery.