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While loosening positive or negative battery terminals is usually straightforward, it is possible that one or more battery terminals or nuts may be stuck.
What do you do in this case?
This post explains tips and tricks that can help you loosen and remove stuck battery terminal bolts, screws, and nuts.
How to Loosen and Remove Stuck Battery Terminals?
The car battery terminals may be tightened tightly and stuck or there might be a buildup of corrosion. To loosen them, try these tips:
1. Use a wrench or set of pliers
Remove as much corrosion as you can. To do this, pour a mixture of baking soda in water over the stuck battery terminal and use a wire brush to scrape away the corrosion.
You can also use a battery cleaner spray to remove the corrosion.
Depending on the battery terminal type used to connect the battery cables to the battery, you may have to hold the bolt head still with a wrench while using another wrench to loosen the connecting nut.
Make sure that you turn the wrench the right way. You may be tightening the bolt instead of loosening it!
2. Apply a penetrating oil like pb blaster
Apply a penetrating oil like pb blaster. Spray it onto the stuck terminals, then try to loosen the battery terminal with a wrench. If it comes off, well and good.
3. Use a battery terminal puller
Use a battery terminal puller to remove stuck battery terminals.
4. Take it to a qualified mechanic or if you are handy, try using a rotary saw (make sure to follow the recommended safety precautions) to gently cut the sides of the battery terminal allowing you to widen the terminal and easily remove it from the battery post.
Note, in some cases, the battery terminals may be severely damaged and need to be replaced. Fortunately, these are widely available.
You may also have to cut back more of the cable if corroded to expose the uncorroded section so that you connect the freshly exposed copper wire to the new battery terminal.
Note: Replace the battery cable if the remaining cable length is not long enough to attach a battery terminal to the battery post without stretching and stressing it.
How to Remove a Stripped Battery Terminal Bolt
If the battery terminal bolt is stripped, you’ll not be able to use a wrench to successfully remove it.
Apply a penetrating oil like pb blaster to loosen it. Attempt to use a wrench and then loosen it. If it works, well and good.
If not, try using a rotary saw following the recommended safety precautions. The rotary saw can gently cut the sides of the battery terminal bolt and nut allowing you to widen the terminal and easily remove it from the battery post.
How to Remove a Corroded Bolt from Battery Terminal
If the battery terminal is corroded, remove the corrosion by pouring a mixture of baking soda in water over the stuck battery terminal and then use a wire brush to scrape it away.
Or, you can use a battery cleaner spray to remove the corrosion. Attempt to use a wrench and then loosen it. If it works, well and good.
If not, try using a rotary saw to gently cut the sides of the battery terminal bolt and nut allowing you to widen the terminal and easily remove it from the battery post.
Make sure you follow the recommended safety precautions.
Tips to Loosen a Stuck Nut on a Battery Terminal
Apply a penetrating oil like pb blaster. Spray it onto the stuck terminals, then try to loosen the battery terminal with a wrench.
If it doesn’t work, try using a rotary saw to gently cut the sides of the battery terminal bolt and nut allowing you to widen the terminal and easily remove it from the battery post.
How to Loosen Stuck Battery Terminal Bolts
Apply a penetrating oil like pb blaster. Spray it onto the stuck terminal bolts, then try to loosen the battery terminal bolts with a wrench. If it comes off, well and good.
If not, try using a rotary saw to gently cut the sides of the battery terminal bolt and nut allowing you to widen the terminal and easily remove it from the battery post.
Removing a stuck Battery
If a car battery is stuck to a tray, check that there’s no bolt and clamp holding down the battery to the tray.
Usually, there’s one. Loosen the nut from the bolt to remove the stuck battery.
Related Posts
1. Can you use Wd40 to Remove a Stuck Battery Terminal?
WD-40 is a contact cleaner that removes greases and light oils and will likely not work with removing stuck battery terminals.
Try using a product like Pb blaster instead to remove rust and corrosion and keep it away.
2. Tip to Remove a Stripped Bolt?
If the bolt threads are stripped then use a hacksaw to carefully cut the bolt head taking care not to damage the battery post or battery.
Once the head is off then you should be able to remove the bolt easily.
Replace with new bolt and nut set.
3. Do you Need Tools to Remove a Car Battery?
You’ll likely need tools – a wrench or pliers to loosen the bolts and nuts that are securing the battery terminals to the posts.
The terminals are secured firmly onto the battery posts for maximum power transfer to and from the battery.
You may also be interested in what happens when the car battery terminals are disconnected while driving.
Closing Thoughts
Spraying a penetrating oil like pb blaster and then using a wrench to loosen the battery terminal nuts and nuts can sometimes loosen the stuck nuts and bolts.
IF still stuck, you may contact a qualified car mechanic for support.
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