Rusted battery bracket/bolt - any tips?

[TylerDurden]

Stupid clamp at the base of the battery is super rusted.

I can't quite pound an 11mm socket onto what's left of the bolt. Been soaking it in penetrating oil for 4 days.

It is in a awkward location to get an angle grinder. A long drill might reach.

Any slick tricks for that job are appreciated.

TIA

[CarlosA]

I had good luck with one of these on an old rusty oil pan bolt once. Really worked on a bolt for a while and this thing loosened it in a few hits. I think I paid $10 for the last one I got at autozone not too long ago.

If you arent familiar with it - it works like an impact wrench, you can use an extension and hammer on it. The hammering action both pushes down on the tool & a spring inside causes it to turn in the direction you set.

[TylerDurden]

I had one of those impact drivers long ago. I still have an 1/2" electric impact driver (Craftsman) from when I was an apartment-dweller.

If I can get a socket securely onto the bolt, I will certainly bring some force to the party. The problem starts with the bolt being so rusted, that it is more like a lump than a hexagonal shape.

[CarlosA]

Yeah makes sense .. best I could say is trying to cut a slot in it and using a flat head on a driver like that - no matter what its going to be a PITA with that battery in there.

[82vdub]

If you have a welder, you could tack a nut on top of the old bolt and use that to unscrew it. By any chance, is the bottom side of the bolt accessible where you could try to turn it that way?

[TylerDurden]

Prybar did it... a big screwdriver might have been just as good.

Paper thin metal under the clamp.

[82vdub]

I think people that don't live in the rust belt really don't know what rust issues truely are. Glad you figured it out.

[Dakotakid]

Yikes...you would be very angry if you saw some of the stuff I have sent to the crusher. I've only parted out one car that was anywhere near that bad!

[TylerDurden]

That spot is the only really bad rust on the car... the usual result from someone leaving a battery in the rack while the car sits for a few seasons. Battery dies, freezes, electrolyte spills onto the metal.

Most oldies have rusted underbellies/rockers, since over-salted roads are the norm in winter.

[coke]

Oversalted.. you should've seen the cars after the state switched to calcium chloride. That puts salt to shame. Take a 3 year old truck with less than 30k miles and the entire gas tank filler neck is completely rotted out, brake lines toast, sad. sad. sad.

[the man 53]

They use it all here. The CaCl I don't think is any worse. I think the newer trucks are to blame. In the big money crunch I saw cars on the lots with rusty bumpers. Brake lines on new vehicles are not even made out of stuff that could be classified as steel anymore. Replace your brake lines with the NiCu if you live where they rust.