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Anybody else have problems with the Optima "V" shaped tie-down holding their battery? I try to tighten it down pretty good, but not too much, but the battery always seems to slide out from under it.
Has anybody come up with a better tie-down solution for these batteries?
I've got the same tie down and don't have any problems although I see how it could slip out since it angles up to the battery. You might try to raise the bolt down end up so it's not angled as much. You could use washers or a spacer on the bolt. That's what I was going to do if it did not hold. Hope this helps. $.02
I have a Red Top with no issues. I make sure the battery is slid all the way back such that it catches the lip at the back of the battery tray and it won't lift up. Next I hand fit the hold down puck so it rests against the middle can of the battery. I tighten the bolt until just before tight and push the puck back towards the battery to make sure. I've never seen the battery move around in the tray. Good luck.
I have a Red Top with no issues. I make sure the battery is slid all the way back such that it catches the lip at the back of the battery tray and it won't lift up. Next I hand fit the hold down puck so it rests against the middle can of the battery. I tighten the bolt until just before tight and push the puck back towards the battery to make sure. I've never seen the battery move around in the tray. Good luck.
Not sure if GM made any significant changes between the model years but on my 04, I've had no trouble with my Optima Redtop moving while using the stock battery holddown hardware.
As Hollywood mentioned, you need to make sure the back part of the battery is pushed all the way back (toward the firewall) to ensure a proper fit
Not sure if GM made any significant changes between the model years but on my 04, I've had no trouble with my Optima Redtop moving while using the stock battery holddown hardware.
As Hollywood mentioned, you need to make sure the back part of the battery is pushed all the way back (toward the firewall) to ensure a proper fit
Larry
When I push the battery all the way back, the puck cannot reach the front lip of the battery!
When I push the battery all the way back, the puck cannot reach the front lip of the battery!
C5 ChemE, can you post a pic of what your battery tray looks like? Maybe GM made some changes (mine's an 04)
This is what mine looked like while I was installing my Optima (the holddown piece and the bolt are not in place just yet but you can see how the Optima is seated perfectly on the tray; it's hard to see the lip of the Redtop in this pic but it's there and the factory holddown piece fits perfectly):
I'll take a pic when I get home from work tomorrow evening!
Here's the way my tie down looks w/ the battery pushed all the way back towards the firewall. Maybe it's because I have a diff model battery? (I go the one w/ the side and top posts)
As you can see, the tie down just misses the bottom lip of the battery.
Are you sure the back of the battery is seated in the holder and not sitting on top?
I have the one with top and front connections and have had no trouble.
Are you sure the back of the battery is seated in the holder and not sitting on top?
I have the one with top and front connections and have had no trouble.
I'm an idiot! That was it! I thought it was seated all the way down in the tray but you were right- it was on top of the back!
Anybody else have problems with the Optima "V" shaped tie-down holding their battery? I try to tighten it down pretty good, but not too much, but the battery always seems to slide out from under it.
Has anybody come up with a better tie-down solution for these batteries?
the battery isn't sitting in the tray properly..its sitting up on the lip on the back of the battery tray..reposition it towards the front and it will set into tray ..I know I had the same issue..