C5 - Small Battery Posts/Terminals
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 572
Likes: 20
From: Pittsburgh, PA - UCCC 11 Second Club
C5 - Small Battery Posts/Terminals
On my 3rd battery for my C5 and each battery I get the battery cables does't fit tightly. They fit snug but I can move it with my hands. In the past I bought battery post shims but don't like the way the fit either. Chevrolet put some bad clamps on these cables.
Don't want to change the entire cable to fix this problem.
Anyone have a real solution to get the battery cable to clamp tightly on the post?
Thanks,
Don't want to change the entire cable to fix this problem.
Anyone have a real solution to get the battery cable to clamp tightly on the post?
Thanks,
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,638
Likes: 245
On my 3rd battery for my C5 and each battery I get the battery cables does't fit tightly. They fit snug but I can move it with my hands. In the past I bought battery post shims but don't like the way the fit either. Chevrolet put some bad clamps on these cables.
Don't want to change the entire cable to fix this problem.
Anyone have a real solution to get the battery cable to clamp tightly on the post?
Thanks,
Don't want to change the entire cable to fix this problem.
Anyone have a real solution to get the battery cable to clamp tightly on the post?
Thanks,
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,430
Likes: 4,829
From: BEST Corn-Nation
2015 C5 of the Year Winner
Is this a top or side post mount? Mine's a side post and maybe file the bolt down a little if it's loose. If it's the top post then maybe file some of the meat between the mating surfaces of the clamp where the bolt goes thru.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
I'm guessing, by his description, he has a late C5 that had the top posts. I can't think of a suggestion besides what is already posted but maybe just replacing the ends of the wires. Just cut off old terminal and use one of these
I hope you are using a AGM type of battery though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 377
From: SW Ohio
My '04 Z has top mount terminals and along the way someone lost the acorn nuts that cause the clamp to tighten. I tried to cobble together new ends that NEVER seemed to fit right so in the end i just ordered new cables from Rock Auto and it was very easy to replace both. Getting to the starter wires could be viewed as the hardest part, but if you come in from underneath it's all very accessible. I was also shocked at how brittle and broken the 16 yr old wires were near the terminals and were only about 50% in tact. It was a worthwhile hour and $45.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 621
Likes: 596
From: Ohio
I would suggest what CinciZ06 did or go with a custom set of cables. i know with my 2000 the parts of the cable that ran under the tray had corroded really bad, not to mention the cables themselves seemed under sized for the car.
Last edited by schmuckingham; Sep 13, 2020 at 10:01 AM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 572
Likes: 20
From: Pittsburgh, PA - UCCC 11 Second Club
Thanks for the good advice. I will make this a winter project.
My '04 Z has top mount terminals and along the way someone lost the acorn nuts that cause the clamp to tighten. I tried to cobble together new ends that NEVER seemed to fit right so in the end i just ordered new cables from Rock Auto and it was very easy to replace both. Getting to the starter wires could be viewed as the hardest part, but if you come in from underneath it's all very accessible. I was also shocked at how brittle and broken the 16 yr old wires were near the terminals and were only about 50% in tact. It was a worthwhile hour and $45.
