How to Remove a Bolt on a Battery Cable

by Kenneth Crawford

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Automotive batteries come with either top mount or side mount terminal applications. Top mount batteries require battery cables with clamps that secure over the battery posts. Side mount batteries require cables that have a bolt that threads into the battery. Battery cable bolts can corrode and crack requiring replacement of the bolt. The bolt fits into a groove or channel inside the end of the battery cable. Removing the bolt on a battery cable requires basic brute force and some manipulating of the cable.

Step 1

Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery with a wrench. The negative cable is the black cable and the terminal hole has a “-” stamp near it. Disconnect the positive battery cable from the battery in the same manner.

Step 2

Grasp the sides of the battery cable where it surrounds the terminal bolt. Bend one of the sides down with your thumb and push the thread end of the bolt to “walk” the bolt out of the cable end. If necessary, use a pair of pliers to hold one side while you bend the other with your fingers. The hard rubber cable end does bend, but it requires some effort.

Step 3

Hold the battery cable end with your fingers. Insert the threaded end of the new bolt into the battery cable at an angle to insert one of the sides of the bolt ring into the groove in the cable end

Step 4

Twist the bolt with your fingers to thread the ring all the way into the groove, much like you would insert a bicycle rim into a tire. Bend and manipulate the end of the cable as necessary until the ring of the bolt is within the groove and the bolt spins freely with your fingers.