Dielectic grease won't hurt to use, but you shouldn't get the terminals corroted where they are in the vette.
New battery/ cables ?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,117
Likes: 671
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
New battery/ cables ?
Maybe this sounds crazy, but when I change out my battery and I clean the battery cables, should I put a little dielectric grease on the cables abd bolts before I attach them to the new battery? The torque seeting for tightening is 11 foot pounds. How do I tighten the cables to that setting? Do I need a torque wrench ? Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 2
From: Tampa FL
I did not use a torque wrench. I used an 8 mm socket and I tightened it once firmly and that's it. It is very easy to strip those things. Do not over-tighten. I don't think 11 is very much, either.
However, mine was a red-top with sideposts. I assume that is what you are talking about. Also, I bought new bolts, which looked a lot more solid than the stock ones that came off.
However, mine was a red-top with sideposts. I assume that is what you are talking about. Also, I bought new bolts, which looked a lot more solid than the stock ones that came off.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,117
Likes: 671
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
I did not use a torque wrench. I used an 8 mm socket and I tightened it once firmly and that's it. It is very easy to strip those things. Do not over-tighten. I don't think 11 is very much, either.
However, mine was a red-top with sideposts. I assume that is what you are talking about. Also, I bought new bolts, which looked a lot more solid than the stock ones that came off.
However, mine was a red-top with sideposts. I assume that is what you are talking about. Also, I bought new bolts, which looked a lot more solid than the stock ones that came off.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
If for some reason you have a lot of corrosion going on it won't hurt to put dielectric grease on them. However, you really shouldn't be getting corrosion like that. What type/brand battery is it?
If you have a micro-torque wrench it should give you enough room to torque them properly. As mentioned just get them snug without over tightening them, otherwise you risk damaging the fasteners. Once you snug them make sure the cable connection doesn't move.
I can't imagine an '03 having badly corroded cables unless it was left somewhere in some nasty environment unattended for a while. It's always good practice to clean up the the ends before installing the new battery.
If you have a micro-torque wrench it should give you enough room to torque them properly. As mentioned just get them snug without over tightening them, otherwise you risk damaging the fasteners. Once you snug them make sure the cable connection doesn't move.
I can't imagine an '03 having badly corroded cables unless it was left somewhere in some nasty environment unattended for a while. It's always good practice to clean up the the ends before installing the new battery.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
A little dab certainly wont hurt,,just put it on the threads. With the very small size of an 8mm box end,, as long as you don't go gonzo on it you're OK. I only use 2 or three fingers on it and "snug it". I also hold the wrench towards the fingertips as well. If you do a fair amount of mechanical work,,most will have a feel for it. I feel safe in saying for me I'd be pretty close to the proper #s without a torque wrench!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,301
Likes: 6
From: LAND OF OZ Kansas
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