bolt stuck in battery

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12-08-2011, 02:46 PM
GeorgeB

bolt stuck in battery

Admins: If this needs to be moved, feel free.

To all:

My truck has been acting up the last few days, so I decided to check the bolths that attached the cables to the batteries to clean them, but then I decided to just buy new ones and not worry if they got clean enough. $5 investment, so not to bad.

However, my surprise is when I go to take the negative one off. Twisted 2 times, and it comes out...and awful small in length. It looks to be that the bolt some how broke and a majority is now inside the battery. (if anyone needs a pic, I can take one tomorrow)

So, my question is this: How can I get the bolt out without damaging the sides inside the battery where the bolt is, so a new one can go in, and without puncturing the battery and having battery acid every where.
12-08-2011, 02:54 PM
KzScrapper

How old is the battery?
12-08-2011, 02:59 PM
GeorgeB

Quote:

Originally Posted by KZBell

How old is the battery?

Not a clue. It is not that old. I estimate under 5 years. Maybe 3 or 4.
12-08-2011, 03:04 PM
KzScrapper

You would have to carefully drill out that broken bolt and then re tap hole if threads are jacked up. Battery life is 3-5 years...do yourself a favor and go buy a new one at Costco.
12-08-2011, 03:09 PM
injunjoe

That bolt is seized in there. The battery is finished!

Wait, is it a top/side post or just a side post? You could abort the side post and convert your connection to fit the top post, but still better off replacing old Batt.
12-08-2011, 03:16 PM
skylinejack

3-4 years. Probably time for a new one anyways wouldn't you think? And just think, you'd have one more battery to scrap!
12-08-2011, 03:26 PM
injunjoe

It could still be of use! But I will not suggest modification, but I can think it!

We need Gus in here to help Geo save the batt. and not get hurt at the same time.
12-08-2011, 03:41 PM
IdahoScrapper

I would get a new one, but if you're bent on salvaging this one you could try soaking the bolt with WD-40 or similar. Assuming there is enough to grab with pliers or visegrips and slowly back it out.

Even then I have to wonder if the threads will be too far gone. Terminals are lead (or a soft material anyway) and quite easy to screw up. I know i have screwed up a few in my time.

Like others said, if you have top mount, go that route, assuming your cables are long enough.

Will need a pair of these.
http://origin-images.ttnet.net/pi/et...005034-43b.jpg

Cut off the old, strip part of the cable and clamp on the new.

Another said you could scrap it, but every time I buy a battery they want the old for a core. Keep that in mind and take it with you. If they don't ask, then you have a scrap battery to go sell to someone for ten bucks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

it comes out...and awful small in length.

That's what she said.

I'm just joshin' ya.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

It looks to be that the bolt some how broke and a majority is now inside the battery.

Corrosion. It'll get ya every time.

Some batteries I have hardly any corrosion, others it looks like it snowed under the hood.

I've used this with good results.

http://cf.mp-cdn.net/7a/59/033c3c7b6...216d308ec5.jpg
12-08-2011, 05:10 PM
Mechanic688

On the side posts the bolt is not very long anyway, maybe a 1/2" maybe a smidge longer but definitely not an inch long. They don't go in very far, Are you sure it is broken??
12-08-2011, 05:19 PM
IdahoScrapper

He says it's broken off in there. I wanna see pics.
12-08-2011, 05:23 PM
Mechanic688

MY van is a side post and there's only a turn and 1/2 to 2 turns and it's tight. I have seen them break and if you get real lucky you might get it to easy-out, but I doubt it.
12-08-2011, 05:30 PM
injunjoe

I think our buddy Geo should play it safe and just buy a new batt. I hate to see him drilling, sparking and blowing himself up!

It's an old battery, scrap it and call it good......
12-08-2011, 05:50 PM
gustavus

With ALL the scrap cars I pick up there;s usually a good battery in every 2nd or 3rd one. Some still under warranty.

Hang in there George maybe that next scrapper will have a good battery.
12-08-2011, 06:01 PM
deno

just a suggestion try the hardware store for the same size but shorter so the terminal can make contact with the battery if the is salck add washers to take it up.
12-08-2011, 06:43 PM
Midnight

One thing you can try is using an easy out. Get a 'Hardened" drill bit and drill a small starter hole in the center of the bolt. The bit size will be determined by the size of the easy out. You will determine the easy out size based off of the bolt size. Once you have your starter hole, work the easy out into it using a T handle. The easy out is reverse thread, so when it bottoms out in the bolt, it will start backing the broken bolt out.

If the bolt is cross threaded, it may be seized up beyond the ability to get it out without damaging the battery connection, but it is worth a try.

http://www.ted-kyte.com/3D/Pictures/Easy%20Out.jpg
12-08-2011, 06:50 PM
GeorgeB

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

He says it's broken off in there. I wanna see pics.

I will take a picture tomorrow with my cell and post it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by injunjoe

That bolt is seized in there. The battery is finished!

Wait, is it a top/side post or just a side post? You could abort the side post and convert your connection to fit the top post, but still better off replacing old Batt.

This battery is a side connector.
12-08-2011, 06:50 PM
GeorgeB

To everyone else:

The battery doesn't look all that old...I am just guessing on the age of the battery btw. I have only had the truck for about 1 1/2 years.
12-08-2011, 07:02 PM
IdahoScrapper

I forgot to add this earlier. Some batteries have dates where the month/year the battery was purchased is popped out/removed. Might be under miles of grime but it's probably there is you want to know the age of it.
12-08-2011, 07:14 PM
GeorgeB

Quote:

Originally Posted by IdahoScrapper

I forgot to add this earlier. Some batteries have dates where the month/year the battery was purchased is popped out/removed. Might be under miles of grime but it's probably there is you want to know the age of it.

Thanks, idaho, will look for that tomorrow.
12-08-2011, 08:21 PM
G_P

Side post bolts are really short. Also it would be almost impossible for a steel 1/4" Diameter bolt to snap off instead of stripping out the threads in the super soft lead terminal on the battery.

If the threaded part of the bolt is about 1/2" long as stated above then it is normal and not broken off.
12-08-2011, 09:10 PM
Mechanic688

Quote:

Some batteries have dates where the month/year the battery was purchased is popped out/removed. Might be under miles of grime but it's probably there is you want to know the age of it.

Walmart uses their barcode on their batteries, the barcode tells them sale date and how much warranty is left.
12-09-2011, 06:40 AM
forwardlookguy

I know you said your battery is a side-mount only but just wanted to throw this out there for someone in this situation with a side/top mount battery. If you are going to convert your cables from side to top-mount style, make sure they will reach the top before you go cutting the terminals off your cables. All the cables I've ever seen are just long enough to reach and may not extend the few extra inches to the top.
12-09-2011, 06:52 AM
Midnight

I also once got one out by using a small chisel and hammer. I was able to keep tapping it counter clockwise until I backed it out enough to get a hold on it.
12-09-2011, 08:24 AM
ozzy214

You could always do the hillbilly repair. I have done for this cheap ass customers back in the day. I was ase mech for 10-15 years. Take a center punch. Try to punch right in the middle of the broken bolt. Now drill and use easy out. If that fails, which it probably will. Then get a big self tapper. Use the baby impact 3/8 gun and ream her home. Will grab whats left of the steel and lead and cinch down tight. Just dont use a long one...like 3/4 inch...any longer user washers to stack it up to perfection. Done and it has the tail light guarentee, but I have done it for a few people with no ill effects.
12-09-2011, 08:51 AM
Gnraxlrose88

If you have a MIG welder, and feel confident enough, create a little weld pool in the center of the broken bolt, then "build up" the weld pool, until you have a nice tall weld. Grab with a vice grip and try turning. Regardless of how you get the bolt out, I'd still run a tap through it to clean up the threads so you don't crossthread the new one.
12-09-2011, 08:52 AM
Gnraxlrose88

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzy214

You could always do the hillbilly repair. I have done for this cheap ass customers back in the day. I was ase mech for 10-15 years. Take a center punch. Try to punch right in the middle of the broken bolt. Now drill and use easy out. If that fails, which it probably will. Then get a big self tapper. Use the baby impact 3/8 gun and ream her home. Will grab whats left of the steel and lead and cinch down tight. Just dont use a long one...like 3/4 inch...any longer user washers to stack it up to perfection. Done and it has the tail light guarentee, but I have done it for a few people with no ill effects.

Isn't the baby impact the 1/4 inch? Hell the new Snap-On 3/8s have just as much power as a 1/2...
12-09-2011, 12:24 PM
IdahoScrapper

Yeah that's what we need. George welding on a battery that has potentially explosive fumes.
12-09-2011, 12:59 PM
ozzy214

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gnraxlrose88

Isn't the baby impact the 1/4 inch? Hell the new Snap-On 3/8s have just as much power as a 1/2...

My baby impact is a 3/8 gun. Have had it for like 10 years. Basically a ir knock off. Never was good for lugs, but did everything else just fine. :> Now do I agree. the new ones do have a crap load of power to them .
12-09-2011, 01:02 PM
ozzy214

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gnraxlrose88

If you have a MIG welder, and feel confident enough, create a little weld pool in the center of the broken bolt, then "build up" the weld pool, until you have a nice tall weld. Grab with a vice grip and try turning. Regardless of how you get the bolt out, I'd still run a tap through it to clean up the threads so you don't crossthread the new one.

This method will work, but need balls of steel. Batteries do release gases that are highly flammable. But if ya like me, have big old balls of steel and clinically insane, then yes this will work to...lol. I just wasnt gonna suggest it...lol!