replacing battery connector

[picksbigwagon]

Okay, my sister in law shows up yesterday with a problem and it is her battery cable connection. the Nut is rusted on (2001 jeep cherokee) and it looks like it is 20 years older that what it should be. I don't have the hack saw or tools like that since they are in storage (pod storage, not storage locker) Is a regular guy able to cut the old one off, strip the wires down a little and replace it with a new one? Or do i need to cut the old bolt off (I can get to it since the bolt to cut it off)

any help would be great.......they got their battery problem "fixed" out in NYC before they moved back...

[Eric Wettschreck]

I've had this happen many times, pretty much cuz I drive old junk.

Top post or side post??? Side post is normally a 3/8 x 16 (National Course) thread and it isn't just a nut, it's a threaded bolt. If you cut the exposed part off there will still be a threaded bolt in the battery you will have to remove.

Yes, a regular guy can cut them off, strip the ends, and put on new. Sometimes twisting the clamp ( top post ) will loosen it up enough to remove it. Be careful tho so you don't twist the battery post.

Before installing new, take a wire brush or battery post cleaner brush thingy and get things good and clean.

A hint for ya........when installing the new clamp, put some grease on the battery post and under the clamp. This will help stop corrosion on the clamp.

[picksbigwagon]

thanks eric, it is a top post and the battery posts looked really clean, but I will clean them again......guess I have a project for this morning......good thing I am all hopped up on caffine

[Jeremy airjer W]

A hint for ya........when installing the new clamp, put some grease on the battery post and under the clamp. This will help stop corrosion on the clamp.

The key word is is under the clamp not on the surface of the battery post where the two make contact.

I had a customer not to long ago that decided to clean his own battery terminals. After a liberal application of di-electric grease to everything the vehicle would not start except with a jump. I pulled it in removed the cable ends wiped off the di-electric grease and reinstalled. Problem solved and customer not happy with himself after explaining what happened and what di-electric grease is/does.

[picksbigwagon]

didn't have any grease, but clip clip, lickety split and it was done

[Tom7227]

I had a customer not to long ago that decided to clean his own battery terminals. After a liberal application of di-electric grease to everything the vehicle would not start except with a jump. I pulled it in removed the cable ends wiped off the di-electric grease and reinstalled. Problem solved and customer not happy with himself after explaining what happened and what di-electric grease is/does.

Why would this happen? I thought that's what the di-electric grease was for. I have been told that Vaseline is better than standard grease for this purpose. Correct?

[Jeremy airjer W]

Di-electric grease is non conductive. It is meant to seal out moister to prevent corrosion, not to complete circuits.