stripped out the battery terminal side post - what now? (Page 1/3)
Green Magic Man NOV 14, 11:33 AM
Hi

As titled. In contortionist position on my re-body in huge rush late for work, poor lightly with alarm shrieking in my ear (and panic mechanicking)... I must have stripped out the (+) side female mount in the battery.
(unless it was like that and I hadn't noticed).
The bottom is smoothed out but I can see thread on both sides. But the Battery bolt just spins and spins while my alarm loudly wails...

What to do now?

Tap and Die it out? go for larger size?
Melt lead and re-tap?
Patrick NOV 14, 01:08 PM
I'm curious myself what solutions are out there, as it's not all that difficult to strip those lead threads in the battery's side terminals.

Have you tried using a slightly longer bolt, one that reaches further into the hole (where there might still be some intact threads)? I've resorted to doing that more than once.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 11-14-2024).]

Green Magic Man NOV 14, 01:18 PM
Interesting Patrick.
I have not tried that. I read some stuff online but didn't understand the premise there is or might be further depth in the battery mount. I guess I assumed the hole was close to exact fit / fill with the bolt.
I could look into that as well.
The Fiero side of the connector does strike me as fairly shallow now you mention it. Perhaps there's a glimmer of hope there.

I had a very bad day on Tuesday with another car that has the entire front suspension ripped apart in order to get a replacement axle back IN to the transmission.
Pulling it was the 'easy' part, but no matter what I do (grease, shrunk circlip, lined up circlip opening up or down... damn axle won't go back in.... this was the setup to
frantically trying to get the battery back in the Fiero re-body and drive that 2 hours to work... and the mount stripped out.
So even though I'm the person that was locked out of the trunk for 6 months, I'm still grounded with the car.
Patrick NOV 14, 01:26 PM

quote
Originally posted by Green Magic Man:

The Fiero side of the connector does strike me as fairly shallow now you mention it. Perhaps there's a glimmer of hope there.



It's critical that the bolt (as supplied by the factory) isn't too long, as then the bolt would bottom out in the battery and the connection wouldn't be tight enough to make a good electrical connection. Therefore they err towards supplying a bolt shorter than it really needs to be. I've used longer bolts, and in some cases, also used shims/washers (between the bolt head and cable fitting) if the replacement bolt was a bit too long.

And then keeping in mind that those threads in the battery are only made of lead (and very soft), be careful and don't tighten the bolt too much!

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 11-14-2024).]

cyrus88 NOV 14, 02:04 PM
Unless you're a glutton for punishment, save yourself some future hassle and trouble and get a new battery
richard in nc NOV 14, 03:51 PM
what i have done is bottom a stud in the hole and then use a nut.
Patrick NOV 14, 03:59 PM

quote
Originally posted by richard in nc:

what i have done is bottom a stud in the hole and then use a nut.



Excellent idea!
Dennis LaGrua NOV 14, 04:06 PM
If you have stripped threads use electrically (silver) conductive epoxy to secure a stud. Then use a nut to attach the battery clamps,

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Patrick NOV 14, 05:02 PM

Another excellent idea! This thread has turned out to be most helpful.
sleek fiero NOV 14, 08:51 PM
sorry guys but the only safe way is replace the battery. I say this from experience. I had similar problem and used a piece of reddy rod to make a stud and used the metallic JB weld to make sure it was secure. I secured the cable with a nut and presto my car was starting and running fine --- for about a week. then one morning I was driving to work and there was an explosion and no more battery and acid all over everything. lost an day of work, had a tow bill and I never saw such a mess as acid makes in a very short time. for the 100 or so dollars for a new battery it cost me at least 600 dollars. lesson learned. sleek