Battery Removal

[grandta13]

The last time I tried to remove the battery from my 95 Century, I barely got it out. I had to remove the air intake tube to move the security bar far enough out of the way, and even then I had a very difficult time removing it.
Is there some method I should try to employ next time I try to remove it?

P.S. I would like to ask if there is an easy way to remove the negative terminal from the battery. I don't have an 8mm wrench, and my socket won't fit in that space. I was trying to use some pliers, but I was only managing a 1/8th turn each time. While I could remove it like that, I'm concerned about reattaching the terminal.

[Moonkilla1]

If you look on my PM 3300 thread you can see I put a kill switch type deal on mine. I takes me seconds and no tools to kill the battery and hook it back up now. I love it

[Keiths1976]

Easiest thing for that is to remove the brace on top two bolts on the radiator support and the one near the fender . Then you can unbolt the battery support hold down bolt bracket then the battery slides sideways enough to get some space . I never have to remove anything but that brace on top and the battery hold down bolt . As far as the battery terminals you could go to Home Depot they have 8mm socket for 2 bucks and have one on hand . They have quick release battery terminals for positive and negative sides they tend to be 8-12 bucks depends where ya get them . But I mean if you want to go all out some guys have re located the battery to the trunk but with care and propper things have to be done to do this . I fellow forum guy (David turbo kinetics) has done this on all his cars try looking up on the search bar for battery re location . I am able to get a 8 mm socket or closed end wrench on mine and get it off while its bolted down . :-) hope this helps Keith

[alex_van_gee]

Do you guys have batteries with european style terminals (on top) in local stores?
I mean like this:


Or is there only terminals on the sides?

I was having hard times removing my cables from side terminals, then I moved to top ones using this:




Never had any trouble since then.

Partnumber is Atlas 5520002, but you probably have something similar from another brand in US.

[Century7667]

The last time I tried to remove the battery from my 95 Century, I barely got it out. I had to remove the air intake tube to move the security bar far enough out of the way, and even then I had a very difficult time removing it.
Is there some method I should try to employ next time I try to remove it?

P.S. I would like to ask if there is an easy way to remove the negative terminal from the battery. I don't have an 8mm wrench, and my socket won't fit in that space. I was trying to use some pliers, but I was only managing a 1/8th turn each time. While I could remove it like that, I'm concerned about reattaching the terminal.

Pulling the battery can be quite an ordeal; it's a real pain! But, you don't have to remove the air cleaner, just the brace. If you use the standard battery size, you can "tip" it to get it in under the fender. A real pain. I have an old 5/32" boxed end wrench that I use. It has a little bit of an offset. I can't get a 1/4" drive socket in there either. Always had to use a wrench.

Ken T.

[Century7667]

Do you guys have batteries with european style terminals (on top) in local stores?
I mean like this:


Or is there only terminals on the sides?

I was having hard times removing my cables from side terminals, then I moved to top ones using this:




Never had any trouble since then.

Partnumber is Atlas 5520002, but you probably have something similar from another brand in US.

Alex,

Actually that's a USA style as well. Only GM (as far as I know) had a fascination with side terminals. My 2012 Chevy has top posts just like the ones you see in Europe.

Ken T.

[alex_van_gee]

Alex,

Actually that's a USA style as well. Only GM (as far as I know) had a fascination with side terminals. My 2012 Chevy has top posts just like the ones you see in Europe.

Ken T.

Well, then I'd suggest to OP next time when you have to replace the battery go with the top ones and use adapters. Your life will be much easier
Never understood the idea with the side posts, they are just awful.

[Century7667]

Well, then I'd suggest to OP next time when you have to replace the battery go with the top ones and use adapters. Your life will be much easier
Never understood the idea with the side posts, they are just awful.

If you want to know why, here's an article on their thinking: http://www.automotive-fleet.com/arti...-gm-s-71s.aspx

The idea was to be a solution for corrosion. They've been around most of my life. I've never had an issue with them, just coat them with silicone grease and torque them down. Like the article say, they are a little more pleasant to look at under the hood. However they can be a bit tough to get at on some models. I suspect they went top post again for cost reasons.

Ken T.

[alex_van_gee]

If you want to know why, here's an article on their thinking: http://www.automotive-fleet.com/arti...-gm-s-71s.aspx

Ken T.

Thanks for the link. Interesting. But I too never had any issues with top terminals,

[Cressida]

My Ciera had the negative as a side post terminal (original) and the positive side had been changed to a top post. So when it was time to hunt for a new battery one had to source a dual terminal type battery!

That was such a pain so I changed the positive side back to a side post so that they are the same again. That top post positive was very close to that support bracket which was also a concern. Still these side post are very difficult if you ever need to use jumper cables and my battery charger cables don't seem to grip them well either.

OP, you might want to just buy an 8mm swiveling wrench (or a 5/16" will work too). That seems to be the best tool for these side post terminals

[Skip]

When I work on mine I always use on of these and it makes it a bit easier: http://www.harborfreight.com/5-16-in...nch-97261.html

[Century7667]

When I work on mine I always use on of these and it makes it a bit easier: http://www.harborfreight.com/5-16-in...nch-97261.html

I like it! Beats my wrench since it has insulated handles!

Ken T.

[grandta13]

When the time comes, I'll probably switch to top posts, though the worry of something shorting due to close proximity is a bit of a concern. Cressida, did you ever have any issues with your top post before you switched it?

[Skip]

I like it! Beats my wrench since it has insulated handles!

Ken T.

Yup, that little wrench makes it soooooo much easier to get to those side posts since they are buried in that corner and that's exactly what that wrench was designed for. I got my first one from my Snap On guy when I was at G.M.. Very handy little tool.

[Century7667]

When it comes to the a-car, I'm ok with the side posts. In my mind the biggest issue is getting the battery in and out of the tight little corner up there. I keep threatening to move the battery to the trunk like David did. Since I don't have much of a tray left on my '95, I might just do it one of these days.

Ken T.