Battery cable bolt replacement
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati Oh
Battery cable bolt replacement
After my p.o.s AC Delco battery leaked everywhere, the positive terminal battery cable bolt threads have been detoriating. I was curious if I could just replace the bolt, and not the entire cable. The cable itself is in good condition. Does anyone know where I can get just the bolt? Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
I went to a place that installs car radios. I needed two that you could hook up a Battery Tender permentetly to. Probably any good parts store like Napa can fix you up. Bring in your old bolt for comparsion just in case..
The old bolts will come out with water pump pliers and some patience.
The old bolts will come out with water pump pliers and some patience.
Last edited by ittlfly; May 21, 2006 at 02:28 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati Oh
I wound up switching to an optima battery and using the top mount ground and the side mount + for ease (in my setup).
You can basically buy a new battery clamp (the end of the cable) and replace the old one. You cannot just replace the old bolt, as it is pressed in there I believe. Cut the old clamp off, strip off some insulation, and clamp the new one on. Pretty easy - just like normal wiring jobs but bigger. Just make sure the rest of the cable isn't damaged, cut or corroded or it will still give you problems.
You can basically buy a new battery clamp (the end of the cable) and replace the old one. You cannot just replace the old bolt, as it is pressed in there I believe. Cut the old clamp off, strip off some insulation, and clamp the new one on. Pretty easy - just like normal wiring jobs but bigger. Just make sure the rest of the cable isn't damaged, cut or corroded or it will still give you problems.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
You can replace the bolt in the factory cable. The hard rubber cover makes it a bit difficult to get it out but it is doable with large pliers. There are two different lengths of bolts for the side terminals and IIRC, the GM cables use the shorter version.
Once you have the old bolt out, inspect the metal disc inside the cover for any corrosion, This disc connects to the cable so any material on there can reduce the contact surface area. It can be cleaned up by dunking the end in a can of baking soda and water or use a brass brush to clean the surface. If the disc is so badly corroded that metal is gone, you may want to replace the cable or get a replacement end.
Once you have the old bolt out, inspect the metal disc inside the cover for any corrosion, This disc connects to the cable so any material on there can reduce the contact surface area. It can be cleaned up by dunking the end in a can of baking soda and water or use a brass brush to clean the surface. If the disc is so badly corroded that metal is gone, you may want to replace the cable or get a replacement end.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,336
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From: Chicago Executive Airport, formerly known as Palwaukee
No-IL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Coca-Cola works wonders on battery corrosion. When you are finished pouring it over the corrosion, sit back and have a refreshing swig of Coke!
I am not kidding! I have been using it for over 30 years!
I am not kidding! I have been using it for over 30 years!
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by TorchRedlt4man
Coca-Cola works wonders on battery corrosion. When you are finished pouring it over the corrosion, sit back and have a refreshing swig of Coke!
I am not kidding! I have been using it for over 30 years!
I am not kidding! I have been using it for over 30 years!
Most any parts store or place that installs batteries will have them on hand and know just what you need.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
That stuff'll kill ya'! Don't drink it, have a healthy, adult grain beverage instead
Maybe I should add a shot of Jack Daniels to it to help kill the nasty stuff in the Coke.Coke will clean the corrosion from the terminals but baking soda and water wil do it quicker.
Another good use for Coke is to clean the windshield! Pour in on a rag and scrub with newspapers. Or use a sack of Bull Durham tobacco sopaked with Coke and wipe the glass with the bag. Rinse well and dry.
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Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Ireplaced all the bolts in the cable ends on both cars. I now have the type that you can hook things up to. I'm not on my normal computer so I can't show you the pic, but I got mine from NAPA.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
I replaced the steel 5/16" battery terminal OEM bolts with some 5/8" brass bolts from Autozone. They make a much better connection and clean up easier than the steel OEM bolts. The 5/8" bolts allow connection to the battery too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Originally Posted by TorchRedlt4man
Coca-Cola works wonders on battery corrosion. When you are finished pouring it over the corrosion, sit back and have a refreshing swig of Coke!
I am not kidding! I have been using it for over 30 years!
I am not kidding! I have been using it for over 30 years!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
If the pos battery bolt has corrosion on it, then the metal plate inside the battery cable is corroied as well...and no way of cleaning it. Replacing the pos battery cable is not all the difficult...had to do it on my 96 CE when I got it.
Get the cable from gmpartsdirect.com...have a good price on it.
LannyL81
Get the cable from gmpartsdirect.com...have a good price on it.
LannyL81
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati Oh
Mr. Mojo, if possible, I would love to see a pic of yours if you have one available. I think I'll try just replacing the bolt first, if upon inspection the cable is bad I'll replace that too. The cable appears to be in good shape, we'll see. Good tip on the hair dryer.
So I just need to pry the bolt out of the end of the cable?
So I just need to pry the bolt out of the end of the cable?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,864
Likes: 198
From: Southern CA
Originally Posted by all4c4lt4
After my p.o.s AC Delco battery leaked everywhere, the positive terminal battery cable bolt threads have been detoriating. I was curious if I could just replace the bolt, and not the entire cable. The cable itself is in good condition. Does anyone know where I can get just the bolt? Thanks.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...8&dept_id=1114
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
I would like to see the set up ittlfly has. I just replaced the battery in my 94 and tried to hook up the battery tender plug/wire but couldn't get the terminal bolts to catch. Tried longer bolts which were too long. It's either cut the original battery tender wires and put on larger u-connectors or something else. Any suggestions from ittlfly or Mr. Mojo's setup
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
I would like to see the set up ittlfly has. I just replaced the battery in my 94 and tried to hook up the battery tender plug/wire but couldn't get the terminal bolts to catch. Tried longer bolts which were too long. It's either cut the original battery tender wires and put on larger u-connectors or something else. Any suggestions from ittlfly or Mr. Mojo's setup. Would like to see a photo.
