Fixing battery terminals - how to?

[vince]

Hi guys,

Ok, since the Xantia was crashed into ive been somewhat on the fence as to wether to carry on fixing it up or to bide my time and then shift it and get something else......I cleaned it up the other day and decided it is still a great car so im going to fix it back up

Ok....i need to get the dashbulbs done but firstly need to tackle the negative battery terminal. Its knackered. Last night i got into the car and waiting for the glow plug light to go out. Whern it did i turned the key and everything went dead...the CD spat out and all power was gone. I got out, shut the door, locked it and unlocked it with the key and then everything was back normal again and i drove home. Straight away i thought...earth problem somewhere.

Today i have checked the battery negative and its very loose although its bolted up. The problem is it has been repaired in the past and the bolt when tighted as much as possible has started to cut through the body of the terminal. This means i cant tighten it up any further or it will break. Whats the best way to fix it? Im cant just hack off the terminal and put one of those bolt on jobbies as ive been told in the past it would involve removing the complete negative lead which in itself is a big job?

I was thinking to get a second hand lead of anotehr Xantia and swapping it over....anyone done this or have any other ideas?

Regards
Vince

[citronut]

if you get the clamp type of repair terminal which clamps the cable core, rather than the type with two grub screws that go through the core, you can just cut off the old terminal and fit the new in situe,

it is obviously better to find a good second hand lead and fit that though

regards malcolm

[mirafioriman]

I've just had the very same issue. Hacked off the old terminal in situe and fitted a new universal one with the two screws holding the cable in. Sorted the problem, the car now starts much better.

[DickieG]

If you pm me your address Vince I've got a pair of decent clamp terminals you can have.

[Dommo]

if you get the clamp type of repair terminal which clamps the cable core, rather than the type with two grub screws that go through the core, you can just cut off the old terminal and fit the new in situe,

it is obviously better to find a good second hand lead and fit that though

regards malcolm

I only found the grub screw type, can you point me in the direction of a clamp design one? I had to replace all three of my negative terminals on all three Xantia's I owned, the original design only works with the correct terminal thickness, no design for lee-way which I suppose is fair enough seeing as it should give the best possible earth.

[vince]

Awesome! thanks for the repliesd guys....there is light at the end of the tunnel

Rich i'll PM you my details....

Vince

[citronut]

if you get the clamp type of repair terminal which clamps the cable core, rather than the type with two grub screws that go through the core, you can just cut off the old terminal and fit the new in situe,

it is obviously better to find a good second hand lead and fit that though

regards malcolm

I only found the grub screw type, can you point me in the direction of a clamp design one? I had to replace all three of my negative terminals on all three Xantia's I owned, the original design only works with the correct terminal thickness, no design for lee-way which I suppose is fair enough seeing as it should give the best possible earth.

dont tell Vince but it was GSF's opposition ECP had the clamp type, they are also quike release from the terminal, lever operated,

regards malcolm

[vince]

Same as is standard on the C5 arent they?

[Northern_Mike]

I was thinking to get a second hand lead of anotehr Xantia and swapping it over....anyone done this or have any other ideas?

Regards
Vince

Had the same problem with the +ve terminal on an Activa recently. Got a very good heavy duty type clamp from Halfords of all places. I chopped the old clamp off with a Dremel as close to the clamp as possible. Pushed cable in, tightened the two decent clamp bolts that hold the cable in place, fitted it to the battery, tightened it up and it solved the problem. Took me about half an hour to do a proper job.

[Northern_Mike]

Had the same problem with the +ve terminal on an Activa recently. Got a very good heavy duty type clamp from Halfords of all places. I chopped the old clamp off with a Dremel as close to the clamp as possible. Pushed cable in, tightened the two decent clamp bolts that hold the cable in place, fitted it to the battery, tightened it up and it solved the problem. Took me about half an hour to do a proper job.

Picture of clamp fitted here - public link

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Hope that helps

[addo]

The original terminals are just lead alloy; you can saw them with a hacksaw blade - first to cut off the eye, then longitudonally in several places to peel the lead jacket away. No loss of length then.

[Dommo]

The original terminals are just lead alloy; you can saw them with a hacksaw blade - first to cut off the eye, then longitudonally in several places to peel the lead jacket away. No loss of length then.

That's what we did, and it worked well enough.

[vince]

Awesome guys thanks....thanks for the picture Mike

[Northern_Mike]

The original terminals are just lead alloy; you can saw them with a hacksaw blade - first to cut off the eye, then longitudonally in several places to peel the lead jacket away. No loss of length then.

I started to do this, then realised there was plenty of spare length on the cable, got bored with cutting gently, and just chopped the manky end clean off.

[Gregg1100]

One could also remove the securing bolt on the clamp, hacksaw about an 1/8th inch off one of the opening lugs, refit securing bolt and presto, one tight clamp again