Battery Cable Screw Tight
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9
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Battery Cable Screw Tight
Hi, I tried to install a new battery. However, I could not get the positive node screw off. It is really tight. I used all known tools to get it moving. Nothing, it won't budge. I tried WD-40, but no luck. The car won't start either, b/c let it sit for three weeks.
Will I need to replace the battery cables? Or does some have a solution?
Will I need to replace the battery cables? Or does some have a solution?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 0
From: Omaha Nebraska
St. Jude Donor '06
Hmm surely if you put a big enough wrench on it you can get it loose?? Have you tried a 1/2 inch breaker bar???
That screw can't be that tight... you're turning it counter-clockwise, yes?
Even if you round off the head you should be able to put a large pair of vice-grips on there and remove it... you can put a cheater on the end of those for more leverage... Weird. Otherwise, sure you can cut a cable. PITA to replace it but...
Weird...
Charge the battery and it will start... even a half day of charging should be enough... if that's what you need to do to get it somewhere...
That screw can't be that tight... you're turning it counter-clockwise, yes?
Even if you round off the head you should be able to put a large pair of vice-grips on there and remove it... you can put a cheater on the end of those for more leverage... Weird. Otherwise, sure you can cut a cable. PITA to replace it but...
Weird...
Charge the battery and it will start... even a half day of charging should be enough... if that's what you need to do to get it somewhere...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 0
From: Deerfield VA
St. Jude Donor '07
Ok, here is what I do. The stuck terminal is due to corrosion in the threads and plastic cover on the terminal. Go to Advance Auto parts and get a penetrating oil called PB Blaster. (It's the best I've ever used) Start spraying the terminal (reapply every 3-4 hrs) and wait a day to let it soak in. Now, I don't know how much of the 5/16 hex is left on your cable end, but if it is chewed up use a vice grip. Place vice grip on terminal and start to PULSE loosening pressure on the cable end, apply as much force to wrench as you dare. (don't go hard enough to shear it) You will snap it if you go too hard. If nothing happens, try the other direction pulsing (tighter) now reverse, LOOSEN AGAIN with pulses, re-apply PB. Keep doing this until you start to feel movement, even a jiggle, if it starts to move, with patience and continued PB blasting, you will own it! It takes alot of patience, and time, the trick is not to put enough pressure on it to shear it! Good luck BRO!
John
John
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 17,640
Likes: 1
From: Lenoir City TN
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
If in the end it gets sheared or rounded off do not worry because the bolt part just pops out of the cable end and is easily replaceable, heck Wal-Mart sells them, just pop the new ones on and be done. They come two per pack so do the other side then they match. Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 0
From: Deerfield VA
St. Jude Donor '07
If in the end it gets sheared or rounded off do not worry because the bolt part just pops out of the cable end and is easily replaceable, heck Wal-Mart sells them, just pop the new ones on and be done. They come two per pack so do the other side then they match. Good luck.
John
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
If in the end it gets sheared or rounded off do not worry because the bolt part just pops out of the cable end and is easily replaceable, heck Wal-Mart sells them, just pop the new ones on and be done. They come two per pack so do the other side then they match. Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Any auto parts store has the replacement battery studs. There are also extended threaded versions so you can add wire connectors to the end and secure with a nut. Warm the vinyl covering at the end of the battery cable to make R&R easier.
An auto parts store might be closer than WALMART and probably won't generate any negative comments...
An auto parts store might be closer than WALMART and probably won't generate any negative comments...
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Okay. How easy is it separate the cable from the screw without damaging the cable? I tried to use a screwdriver and wedge it between the battery and the cable. Only sight movement. Should it snap off? If this works, I can at least take the battery out of the car and get a better angle to loosen the screw.
THanks in advance.
THanks in advance.
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Brett Foote
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
There is a flat flange on the battery stud that holds the oem battery cable terminal connector tightly. The copper terminal connector is covered by the red or black vinyl sheath.
You will not be able to remove the cable w/o damage until you figure out how to remove the battery stud.
You will not be able to remove the cable w/o damage until you figure out how to remove the battery stud.
