TeeJay3800 Posted February 4, 2011 Report Posted February 4, 2011 I'm trying to start my '90 Cutlass for the first time in several months, and surprise surprise, the battery is dead. I decided to throw a new one in, but am having a helluva time getting the old one out. The problem is loosening the bolt that goes through the rubber thing that holds the battery down. It's a 13mm, correct? I'm using a 13mm socket, but it seems to be rounding over the bolt rather than loosening it. Does anyone have any suggestions for getting this bolt loose? Quote
white4d96 Posted February 4, 2011 Report Posted February 4, 2011 Spray it with wd40 and see if that helps maybe? If it's really rounded off you could try hammering a 12mm socket onto it perhaps. Quote
TeeJay3800 Posted February 4, 2011 Author Report Posted February 4, 2011 Thanks for the replay. I think I'll try PB Blaster instead of WD-40. Hopefully that'll help. It's actually strange that it's rounding over because the bolt head doesn't look rounded over at all. Quote
AL Posted February 4, 2011 Report Posted February 4, 2011 Its possible that its rounding on the bottom side... Its hard to describe but there is a nut on the bottom that the bolt screws into and its supposed to be fixed but I have seen some slip off of there mounting points and make it almost impossible to take the hold down off Quote
TeeJay3800 Posted February 4, 2011 Author Report Posted February 4, 2011 There's a nut on the bottom? I don't remember dealing with a nut the last time I took the battery out (several years ago). I thought I just loosened the bolt and out it came. Even if there is, I doubt that's what's slipping because I see the "round marks" on the edges of the bolt head, so that's definitely what is slipping. Quote
digitaloutsider Posted February 4, 2011 Report Posted February 4, 2011 I've personally yet to see that one happen, but I imagine it could be possible if the battery tray was rusty enough. Sounds like the head of your bolt just sucks. Quote
TeeJay3800 Posted February 4, 2011 Author Report Posted February 4, 2011 It doesn't look rounded, but yet I do see rounding marks on the edges. And yes, the battery tray is VERY rusty. If the nut does end up being the problem, what's the solution? Quote
mfewtrail Posted February 5, 2011 Report Posted February 5, 2011 It doesn't look rounded, but yet I do see rounding marks on the edges. And yes, the battery tray is VERY rusty. If the nut does end up being the problem, what's the solution? The nut is welded/integral w/ the battery tray area down there. You could grind it off, and use a regular nut down there....it would just take a little more time to remove & install the battery from then on. Do you have any other 13mm sockets to try? Like a different brand? Sometimes there are minute differences in the way the sockets are made and one brand will work better than the other. The battery hold down bolt on my red TGP was tough to remove from being corroded and rusted up from battery acid corroding the shit out the tray area before I owned the car. I sprayed a little PB blaster on the bolt and was able to remove it without much of an issue. Quote
AL Posted February 5, 2011 Report Posted February 5, 2011 Using a 6 point socket would be much better than using a 12 point socket also Quote
spiderw31 Posted February 5, 2011 Report Posted February 5, 2011 It doesn't look rounded, but yet I do see rounding marks on the edges. And yes, the battery tray is VERY rusty. If the nut does end up being the problem, what's the solution? Is the socket cracked by any chance? I had that happen once and it seemed that I was rounding the head, but it really didn't look bad enough to be rounded the way it felt. Thats when I noticed a hairline crack in the socket. Failing that, Matt's right too Quote
intern8tion9l Posted February 7, 2011 Report Posted February 7, 2011 are battery trays available new by any chance? Quote
mfewtrail Posted February 7, 2011 Report Posted February 7, 2011 are battery trays available new by any chance? I skimmed through my GP parts scans(from the FAQ) quickly and didn't a listing for one. I could have missed it though. I'm kinda guessing GM didn't make a replacement since they probably assumed the tray would outlast the car under normal circumstances. Quote
Crazy K Posted February 7, 2011 Report Posted February 7, 2011 1/2" would be tighter = better grip. you might have to tap it onto the bolt head lightly... Quote
TeeJay3800 Posted February 7, 2011 Author Report Posted February 7, 2011 Thanks guys. That ended up being simpler than I thought. It took a little pounding to get the 1/2" socket on there, but it did the trick. Thank goodness the problem wasn't something to do with the tray. Before I put the new battery in, I think I'll replace the bolt holding the battery down since it's bent and the threads don't look to be in good shape. Is there something I should spray on the battery terminals before connecting them to the new battery? Quote
mfewtrail Posted February 8, 2011 Report Posted February 8, 2011 Is there something I should spray on the battery terminals before connecting them to the new battery? You could spray them with a battery terminal protector spray if you want....or coat them in petroleum jelly, di-electric grease, etc....there are lots of things that work for that. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.