glbeauchamp

Good Morning. After reading the thread about dropping the battery bolt into the lower nether regions of his engine compartment, that brought to mind a question of my own. After reading horror stories about batteries leaking under the tray and causing all kinds of damage, I sent for a couple of battery mats from one of the sponsers here (MidAmericaMotorworks). I installed the mat and then put the battery back in. I could not get the battery to secure to the tray. After studying the situation, the mat was thick enough so that it raised the battery above the mounting bracket high enough so the lip on the bottom of the battery would not slip under the bracket. Therefore, you could tighten the battery holddown with the screw until it bottomed out and the battery was still loose as there was nothing on the other side to hold it down. I cut up one of the mats and stuffed pieces here and there under the tray figuring it was better than nothing, but my questions is: Does anyone have any ideas how to install the complete mat so the battery is low enough that it slips under the ear opposite the screw holddown? Hopefully my attempted explanation is understandable.

Vetteman Jack

If the bolt can come out of the holddown clamp, perhaps you can get a longer bolt at a hardware store and then secure the battery down. Or, switch to an AGM type battery where it doesn't leak acid.

kpcets

I too have a battery mat and no problems with the clamp and bolt to hold it down.
I believe Vetteman Jack has the correct fix.

JR-01

I use this mat and had no problem clamping battery down.
http://www.batterymart.com/p-battery...IgsaApUb8P8HAQ

glbeauchamp

It isn't on the clamp and screw side. It's the ear on the other side where the lip on the bottom edge of the battery slips under it. The mat raises the battery up just high enough so the lip won't fit underneath it. I wouldn't think there would be any difference between years. Maybe the battery? It's I think a Wal Mart that came with the car. I suppose I could try grinding a little off the battery lip but that might weaken it to the point of breaking and I would be right back where I stared from. It's a mystery. Probably a new gel battery I guess

lusor

I had the same problem.Gave up on the battery mat.

glbeauchamp

Tried that. No go. Maybe if I took pliers and pried up on the ear a little. Didn't try that.

glbeauchamp

Well, at least I don't feel like the Lone Ranger here.

Choreo

Is the bolt not long enough to add a couple washers?

glbeauchamp

The bolt and clamp it goes through is not the p[roblem. It's the ear on theopposite side of the tray that the battery is supposed to slip under so it is held down on both sides. Installing a mat makes the battery too high to slip under the ear.

JR-01

Try a little Vaseline on the lip. It might just slide right in.

killian96ss

You either need a thinner mat or pry up a little on the sheet metal side of the battery tray that holds one side of the battery down. Many years ago I bought a very thin battery mat from Summit Racing that was a felt type material, yellow in color, but only 1/8" or less in thickness & it worked fine without modifying anything.

Steve

glbeauchamp

The mat is 1/4 inch thick. I'm thinking you are right and the only way I can see right now for the thing to work is to pry up the ear on the tray enough so the battery will slip under it. Then I guess I could tap it down (carefully) to snug up the fit..

Choreo

I have the same yellow one from Griots Garage (discontinued).

I just purchased one of the heavier mats from another source, but don't think it will work with my Odyssey since the top of the battery nearly touches the hood latch as it is.

JR-01

http://www.batterymart.com/p-battery...IgsaApUb8P8HAQ
This mat is 1/8 inch thick.