I had to change a battery on my Grandfather's truck this past summer. When I tried the hold down I was sure it was going to snap. It wasn't time pressing so I soaked it in Kroil and came back the next weekend. Still I was impressed that it came out and didn't snap off. It's pricey so I save it for things I think will be a problem.
Everything For Changing Car Batteries
- Thread starter joetech
- Start date
I had to change a battery on my Grandfather's truck this past summer. When I tried the hold down I was sure it was going to snap. It wasn't time pressing so I soaked it in Kroil and came back the next weekend. Still I was impressed that it came out and didn't snap off. It's pricey so I save it for things I think will be a problem.
xin
Well-known member
On any late model TRUCK/CAR if you are disconnecting the battery without a ODB2 MEMORY SAVER - you are setting yourself up for a LOT of problems.
The amount of modules/sensors - not including triggering multi-cylinder misfire on and on...
A/C modules (talkin about the electronic selection floor/window/vent) is famous for failing after this.
The amount of modules/sensors - not including triggering multi-cylinder misfire on and on...
A/C modules (talkin about the electronic selection floor/window/vent) is famous for failing after this.
kctyphoon
Banned
Are you talking about this? The plug for the heated gear?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008PW4OOS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0TMNRI/?tag=atomicindus08-20
No harm done.
You can kind of think of dielectric grease as a lot like air (air is another dielectric). Both are 'perfect' insulators so any voltage drop across either will be total (12V). Contact pressure (can think of it as PSI) from the clamping force causes the air or grease to flow to lower pressure so it is displaced and there is no dielectric between the contact points. Anywhere there is grease remaining there would otherwise have been air so no difference in voltage drop between air and grease.
The air has water vapor in it and the grease doesn't which is the point of dielectric grease naturally.
No, I'm referring to this thing.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Batteries-and-Chargers/M12-Batteries-and-Chargers/2349-20
It's unavailable and only two of them have sold on eBay in the last couple months. So I was glad to know that someone had figured out how to do it essentially the same way.
mcj115
Well-known member
Just belly up and buy a side post wrench. These have insulated handles and are designed for the job. Your gearwrench is not insulated, so it is a matter of time that you will be tightening a positive terminal and zap....you might damage the wrench, battery, electrical system of the car.
This is experience speaking. and if you do any volume of them it will be sooner rather than later than an accident happens.
Good point, thank you for bringing that to my attention. Hadn't thought of that part.
googling "battery service brush" brings up a nice conical brush from vim tools. Thought it was mentioned in this thread but I didn't find it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CDDAVT2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Only linking to amazon as their url's won't change in a few years. I don't personally buy anything from amazon as most things can be found elsewhere cheaper.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CDDAVT2/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Only linking to amazon as their url's won't change in a few years. I don't personally buy anything from amazon as most things can be found elsewhere cheaper.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
"Back in MY day ..." I worked in the garage at Sears (1970s). First cold day we would have 50 cars lined up outside the door (I worked at one of the top 5 Sears stores in the US). Not much has changed. Any "high volume" operation does not really give you adequate time to do a god job.
Most "better" brand car batteries come with a lifting strap now a days. If not get a strap/clamp. With all of the pickups on the road, especially the 3/4 ton and 1 ton models, you really need a step stool to get the proper angle for lift a battery out. A "top side creeper" would probably work well, but I'll bet no place would buy one just for the guys swapping batteries.
Dielectric grease is expensive overkill. Spray on corrosion protectant is works, but not worth the cost. A good gob of Vaseline works just as well. Fluid Film works well but only for about a year. Don't forget to do the hold down bolts.
For you DIY folks, at least once a year, mix up some baking soda and water and take a parts cleaning brush and clean the battery post, terminal and entire battery top. Rinse with a large quantity of clean water. If you are lazy, just take the garden hose and nozzle and spray the battery down. Reapply the Vaseline/Fluid Film.
I have had the battery out of my E150 3 times in the past year (twice to access other things that had to be replaced. Last time was because it died after 8 years.). Each time it reminds me of "the old days" !
Most "better" brand car batteries come with a lifting strap now a days. If not get a strap/clamp. With all of the pickups on the road, especially the 3/4 ton and 1 ton models, you really need a step stool to get the proper angle for lift a battery out. A "top side creeper" would probably work well, but I'll bet no place would buy one just for the guys swapping batteries.
Dielectric grease is expensive overkill. Spray on corrosion protectant is works, but not worth the cost. A good gob of Vaseline works just as well. Fluid Film works well but only for about a year. Don't forget to do the hold down bolts.
For you DIY folks, at least once a year, mix up some baking soda and water and take a parts cleaning brush and clean the battery post, terminal and entire battery top. Rinse with a large quantity of clean water. If you are lazy, just take the garden hose and nozzle and spray the battery down. Reapply the Vaseline/Fluid Film.
I have had the battery out of my E150 3 times in the past year (twice to access other things that had to be replaced. Last time was because it died after 8 years.). Each time it reminds me of "the old days" !
Thank you for sharing your experience!
For cleaning corrosion, got coffe fresh outta the pot makes quick work. I use the spreaders also to make sure there all the way down, and grease on all the hold downs. Lots of rust here.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Bobioz1
Well-known member
For Corrosion on battery clamps ,I pour some boiling water on them, It works !
Yep. Works amazing.
For memory backup, if you were using the regular clamps on the cables, it is possible for it to slip off or you accidentally knock it out while lifting out the old battery.
I found this clamp recently. It has a plastic catch that you push in, to lock the jaws. I have not tried it, but it seems to have potential.
https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B07F9SZNXS/
I found this clamp recently. It has a plastic catch that you push in, to lock the jaws. I have not tried it, but it seems to have potential.
https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B07F9SZNXS/
Ign
Well-known member
Got the BP brush and it certainly does look a cut above the parts store cheapies
Thanks Witthay. Good thing I ordered online 'cause I would not have called a driver first, thus violating an unspoken protocol, just dropping in trying to give him green paper
Thanks Witthay. Good thing I ordered online 'cause I would not have called a driver first, thus violating an unspoken protocol, just dropping in trying to give him green paper
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engineer2
Well-known member
I finally bought one of those battery filler jugs and it's pretty handy. It's a bit slow, so I'll probably modify it to flow faster.
WittHay
Well-known member
Got the BP brush and it certainly does look a cut above the parts store cheapies
Thanks Witthay. Good thing I ordered online 'cause I would not have called a driver first, thus violating an unspoken protocol, just dropping in trying to give him green paper
Your welcome. Some of those cheap ones, it seems you use them a few times and they are worn out
Its all good with the Snap-on especially with the free shipping online.