Side Terminal Start battery

[Finhawk]

While trying to remove the positive cable with a 12 point box end, I rounded off that little stub of a nut. As tight as that thing is, I'm sure it'll twist off when I put a set of vice grips on it. Any suggestions other than replacing the cable end?
Bruce

[njs42]

I'm not a mechanic or a battery expert---but I have budged plenty of bolts and broken a few.

I am looking at one of the bolts that came with my battery--Die HArd. I used an extention bolt so I have the original. That little bolt, at least the one I am looking at, simply juts out of a pretty substantial piece of metal. The threaded end inside the battery looks to be 3/8's or so maybe larger. It is not flimsy---and it is not too long 1/2 inch so it should take some force.

What I am saying---very carefully because I'm not standing there looking at what you are---it looks to me from what I am looking at that if you put vise grips on the larger metal just behind the little bolt it would budge. Do you think the bolt end may be corroded inside the battery? WD-40? If so you need to break it anyway, at least that is the way I would approach it. If not corroded then I think it should move for you.

If it does twist off you should be able to get it out by drilling it's center and inserting a bolt remover---a tool designed for this sort of thing--not too pricey.

Another suggestion is ---you will need a new bolt so go get one for your battery and see what it looks like before you give it the big twist.

Left loosy, righty tighty ---sorry I cannot send a photo my camera battery is dead.

Good luck-----

[wa8yxm]

Go ahead and vice grip it, Replacement bolts can be found at any auto parts store.. Sears carries an "Easy-out" thing that really works.. I know, I broke off a piece of brass tubing in my air compressor.. Applied tool (First time I'd used it) thing drilled in (It's left handed by the way) 2 turns and backed that pipe out faster than I could get my finger off the trigger of the drill.

Should work on the lead bolt too.

You can use a steel bolt of the same thread with cutters to chase the threads in teh battery unless you are replacing the battery,,,, In which case don't worry about it.

[ga traveler]

As the other guy said, you can easily buy replacement bolts. Just make sure you clean the end and get rid of all corrosion. You can buy brass bolts. these last longer and are 1/2 in instead of 5/15. Much less likely to round off.