Battery hold down bolt snapped

[doncaruana]

Was pulling the battery to get to the bulb and the hold down bolt was so rusted it snapped on me. I just replaced the battery a couple of years ago with no issues so this was a surprise. What the heck can I do?

 

[B-train]

Can you pull the battery tray and then run the bolt out with some vice grips after heating it up and/or soaking it

 

[OR VietVet]

Heat and/or spark anywhere close to the battery is dicey. You can drill out if you have enough room. May have to go from the side or from underneath to cut off tray attaching bolts. Can you post some pics so we can see what is needed?

 

[doncaruana]

Can you pull the battery tray and then run the bolt out with some vice grips after heating it up and/or soaking it

It snapped off even with the tray. Nothing to grab onto because there's a nut on the under side of the tray. I'm guessing the right way to do it would be to try and drill the bolt out but hoping there's an easier way? Right now the battery is held down with a bunch of zip ties

 

[doncaruana]

Heat and/or spark anywhere close to the battery is dicey. You can drill out if you have enough room. May have to go from the side or from underneath to cut off tray attaching bolts. Can you post some pics so we can see what is needed?

Didn't grab a pic because I was so disgusted but the bolt is sheared off right even with the tray. (I'll try and get some later). A replacement tray itself isn't very expensive but at just shy of 300K miles and over 25 years of living in Michigan, I worry about what would happen trying to get it out, much less the ability to even get to it to get it out.

Also wondering if one of those "universal battery clamp down" things might work, although there's not a lot of extra room on the tray but maybe if I drilled a hole in the tray...?

 

[89Suburban]

Ratchet strap or bungee cord?

Grind what is left flat and smooth, center punch and start drilling. Start with a smaller bit and work your way up. Then get stainless steel nylock nut and bolt from Home Depot to replace it. Don't break the drill bit off or your in real trouble.

 

[doncaruana]

Ratchet strap or bungee cord?

Grind what is left flat and smooth, center punch and start drilling. Start with a smaller bit and work your way up. Then get stainless steel nylock nut and bolt from Home Depot to replace it. Don't break the drill bit off or your in real trouble.

There's a nut welded to the underside of the tray. That's where the bolt sheared off. Can't replace that with home depot unless I drill out the entire thing and then have something to fill that hole (some big fender washers??).

 

[OR VietVet]

So, the bolt broke off but the battery still came out? That was not made clear earlier. No battery in the way. Drill the damn thing out, use the correct size tap and run a new bolt in there. You appear to be over thinking it. Unless I missed something.

 

[doncaruana]

So, the bolt broke off but the battery still came out? That was not made clear earlier. No battery in the way. Drill the damn thing out, use the correct size tap and run a new bolt in there. You appear to be over thinking it. Unless I missed something.

I was just wondering if there was an easier way. I've never drilled a bolt out like that and don't have a tap.

 

[OR VietVet]

You can rent, buy or borrow drills, drill bits and taps. If you are not mechanically inclined, then have it done. I would bet after so much time in a "salt on the roads" state, to try and replace tray will likely be a PITA.

 

[doncaruana]

You can rent, buy or borrow drills, drill bits and taps. If you are not mechanically inclined, then have it done. I would bet after so much time in a "salt on the roads" state, to try and replace tray will likely be a PITA.

Yes - replacing the tray I think is a no go. Saw a video and a couple of the bolts are in "take the truck apart to get to these" locations. Plus the rust...

 

[89Suburban]

There's a nut welded to the underside of the tray. That's where the bolt sheared off. Can't replace that with home depot unless I drill out the entire thing and then have something to fill that hole (some big fender washers??).

View attachment 406075

I understand that. If you are able to at least drill the bolt out of the welded nut, forget the thread tapping and install a nut and bolt. Over the original welded nut. That will give the battery tray some sort of strength leaving the welded nut in place like a spacer.

 

[doncaruana]

Until I get the time and tools (and weather!) to do any of this could I use a ratchet strap or something? Is that ill advised?

 

[89Suburban]

Until I get the time and tools (and weather!) to do any of this could I use a ratchet strap or something? Is that ill advised?

Sure you can, ratchet strap, bungee cord. Whatever works.

 

[Hoesgottaeat2]

I second the motion for a ratchet strap or bungee in the interim, until it's fixed. "Interim" is left up to interpretation here of course. Some folks think it means "permanent" lol.