bolt stuck in battery

**GeorgeB** · 12-08-2011, 05:46 PM

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.

**KzScrapper** · 12-08-2011, 05:54 PM

How old is the battery?

**GeorgeB** · 12-08-2011, 05:59 PM

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.

**KzScrapper** · 12-08-2011, 06:04 PM

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.

**injunjoe** · 12-08-2011, 06:09 PM

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.

**skylinejack** · 12-08-2011, 06:16 PM

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!

**injunjoe** · 12-08-2011, 06:26 PM

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.

**IdahoScrapper** · 12-08-2011, 06:41 PM

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.

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.

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

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

That's what she said.

I'm just joshin' ya.

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.

**Mechanic688** · 12-08-2011, 08:10 PM

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??

**IdahoScrapper** · 12-08-2011, 08:19 PM

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

**Mechanic688** · 12-08-2011, 08:23 PM

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.

**injunjoe** · 12-08-2011, 08:30 PM

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......

**gustavus** · 12-08-2011, 08:50 PM

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.

**deno** · 12-08-2011, 09:01 PM

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.

**Midnight** · 12-08-2011, 09:43 PM

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

**GeorgeB** · 12-08-2011, 09:50 PM

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.

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.

**GeorgeB** · 12-08-2011, 09:50 PM

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.

**IdahoScrapper** · 12-08-2011, 10:02 PM

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.

**GeorgeB** · 12-08-2011, 10:14 PM

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.

**G_P** · 12-08-2011, 11:21 PM

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.

bolt stuck in battery

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