Battery fixing bolt

andy625uk

andy625uk

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Southampton, UK
Vehicle Details
Thunderbird LX 4.6v8 1994
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My current battery amazingly has been in the car since 2009 and managed to get the car going after not being charged all winter.

Having said that, occasionally over the last couple of years its started beginning to sounds very sluggish when starting the car, so given the age, and hassle when they go properly flat at the most inconvenient time, i bought a new one last year. I've had it in the garage on intermittent charge ever since and today i finally decided to fit it.

My battery is still held in with the original bolt, and despite being flooded with WD-40 it's refusing to budge. I think I'll end up snapping it off trying to get it undone.

My question is, where does the bolt sxrew into the car? Does it go through into the wing, or into the battery tray? Is there any chance the WD-40 that I've flooded the area around it with will actually get to the thread?

I thought I'd leave it for today in the hope that the WD-40 will actually do something but otherwise i think I'll force the battery out and try and get the bolt out afterwards. Anyone got a better idea? Of all else fails will i be able to get a big cable-tie under the battery tray and right round the battery?
 
The bolt goes into the battery tray. There is a metal plate that has the threads in it that is bonded to the plastic battery tray. Rather than trying to force the battery out, just break the bolt off if it won’t budge, then you can remove the battery tray and try to extract it, or just have a nut welded to a piece of metal and rivet the metal to the tray. But if the tray itself breaks, that is going to be much harder for you to get a replacement than a nut and bolt.
 
FWIW I've never considered WD-40 to be a particularly effective penetrant. I use either PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench - not sure if either are available for you though. Soak liberally, then hit it again after a few hours. The following day it should be more cooperative. Otherwise Mike's suggestion is the alternative. IME that bolt will snap before it breaks anything else.
 
I should have said that when i fitted the current battery, i had to use a small piece of wood to wedge the battery clamp onto, to get it to clamp the battery. 16yrs on, it looks like the wood would split and beeak pretty easily which would probably lete get the battery out.

I take your point though, i wouldnt want to damage the tray.

I'll have a look for the penetrants, but i don't remember ever seeing those brands over here.
 
Guaranteed a 6mm bolt won’t break the tray, the nut is part of a wide metal sleeve attached to the bottom of the tray, the bolt will definitely break first

IMG_6811.jpegIMG_6810.jpeg
 
I see. I think I'll flood it out with wd-40 and try again in a few days. Thanks.
 
theterminator93 said:
FWIW I've never considered WD-40 to be a particularly effective penetrant. I use either PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench - not sure if either are available for you though. Soak liberally, then hit it again after a few hours. The following day it should be more cooperative. Otherwise Mike's suggestion is the alternative. IME that bolt will snap before it breaks anything else.
Click to expand...
Kroil is my favorite penetrating oil. I've read that a 50/50 mix of transmission fluid and acetone is the best though.
 
Jae 'Bird said:
www.dormanproducts.com

Dorman Products - 00588

Base Clamp Battery Hold Down Kit
www.dormanproducts.com www.dormanproducts.com
they clearly never changed through all the production years, mine looks exactly the same
Click to expand...
I was going to say that it's amazing that you can still buy them, but looking at the list of cars it fits, it seems it's used on pretty much every car Ford has ever made! 😂
 
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