That Battery Box!!
Discussion
I need to change the battery in my late '95 Chimaera, easy but awkward job I thought - but no!! There had to be something else!
WD40'd the two bolts underneath the car and started undoing them, they are turning but the battery box is still ridged. I Can only think that the nuts set in the fibre glass box are turning and have detatched themselves.
As far as I can see the nuts are a couple of inches back from the front of the battery so I can't even get to them to hold them with a spanner or anything.
So before I get the angle grinder out tomorrow to take the heads off the bolts, has anyone got any easier suggestions, or had this happen to them??
Cheers guys, Dan
WD40'd the two bolts underneath the car and started undoing them, they are turning but the battery box is still ridged. I Can only think that the nuts set in the fibre glass box are turning and have detatched themselves.
As far as I can see the nuts are a couple of inches back from the front of the battery so I can't even get to them to hold them with a spanner or anything.
So before I get the angle grinder out tomorrow to take the heads off the bolts, has anyone got any easier suggestions, or had this happen to them??
Cheers guys, Dan
Hi Dan, Similar post a coulple of days ago see www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=29385&f=8&h=0
Looks like the angle grinder mate.
Big Al.
Looks like the angle grinder mate.
Big Al.
Cheers chaps!
Looks like a day of grinding tomorrow then!
I don't think I'm going to get the battery box re-fibreglassed though. For the time being, I think a couple of large washers and some araldite should do, or maybe I'll try and find another way of fixing it down. See if I feel inspired!!
:istryingtoblagananglegrinderaswespeak:
Looks like a day of grinding tomorrow then!
I don't think I'm going to get the battery box re-fibreglassed though. For the time being, I think a couple of large washers and some araldite should do, or maybe I'll try and find another way of fixing it down. See if I feel inspired!!
:istryingtoblagananglegrinderaswespeak:
Hello mate,
Had the same trouble recently and the head was turning.It broke off the fibreglass around the captive nut and i got it all out ok. I took the box to Tower View and they charged me £20 for fibreglassing the original nut back in. I was pleased with that because a new Battery box is £60+vat.
Had the same trouble recently and the head was turning.It broke off the fibreglass around the captive nut and i got it all out ok. I took the box to Tower View and they charged me £20 for fibreglassing the original nut back in. I was pleased with that because a new Battery box is £60+vat.
Well, I've done it, it took a day and a half!! But I've done it, my first bit of DIY on my Chim!! 
I bought a 4.5" angle grinder (for a tenner!!) and ground off the heads of the old bolts underneath. Ripped the box out, and found that, yes, the bonded in nuts had just been turning in their holes.
After about 3 hours of pondering, staring at the box, and wandering in and out of the workshop for inspiration, I eventually found some large wingnuts and 13mm bolts. I ground the tops of the wing part of the nut, so I had a nut with 2 bits sticking out either side, and fibreglassed them into the box. Stuck the battery in, packed it in with foam, and hey presto, done!
I know it shouldn't have taken me a day and a half, but most of that was scratching my head
smoking and drinking tea and beer!! 
I bought a 4.5" angle grinder (for a tenner!!) and ground off the heads of the old bolts underneath. Ripped the box out, and found that, yes, the bonded in nuts had just been turning in their holes.
After about 3 hours of pondering, staring at the box, and wandering in and out of the workshop for inspiration, I eventually found some large wingnuts and 13mm bolts. I ground the tops of the wing part of the nut, so I had a nut with 2 bits sticking out either side, and fibreglassed them into the box. Stuck the battery in, packed it in with foam, and hey presto, done!
I know it shouldn't have taken me a day and a half, but most of that was scratching my head
smoking and drinking tea and beer!!
manek said: Sorry to hear about the grief Danny. It was alright last time I had the box out (though the battery was only a couple of years old...).
Cheers -- glad to see you're having fun.
Cheers Manek! You've been a bit quiet for a while, not seen too many posts, hopefully it's because your busy, and saving for another TVR!! So hows the focus?? The Chim is fine, costing a packet but it's all part of the fun!!!! it's funny when people recognise the car but not the person (as in, your old car!)!!!
I'm going to the Virginia Water meet on the 9th, fancy popping along?? Be good to say hello, and you can check i'm keeping her in the manner she's accustomed to!!
Had my head down the last couple of weeks, plus I had to drive down to Cannes for 3GSM (telecoms show) Sunday week last, stayed with friends up in the mountains, then across to Carcassonne to see another contact. Long drive (2k miles), would have been MUCH more fun in the Chim!
I'll have to see about Sunday 9th -- my social secretary's not here right now...
Nice to think the car gets recognised though
I'll have to see about Sunday 9th -- my social secretary's not here right now...
Nice to think the car gets recognised though
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