I replaced the battery in my 97 Ranger, and when I was loosening the little black wedge-shaped thing that holds the battery in, I broke the bolt off.

Since it was winter time, I just installed the new battery and didn't bother trying to figure out a way to secure it down.

This appears to be a rather common problem, as a few of my friends have experienced similar situations. The bolt was just rusted and it broke off clean -- there is no way to get that sucker out!!

There doesn't seem to be a way to install one of those universal battery hold-down pieces . . . Has anyone figured out a way to solve this issue?

Thanks!

 

Yep, a short bungie cord will hold that battery in there... .... and then you can get back to.... whatever it was you were doing before you changed the battery!

Seriously though, for sure you don't want to be driving around without having your battery secured. That practice can get fugly quick...!
When it gets warmer outside, then you can stare at it trying to figure out the best way to remove it...

BarnieTrk

 

Thanks for the bungee cord suggestion . . . haha! I was definitely aiming for something slightly more classy looking though . . .

It doesn't seem I can drill it out.

Should I just buy a new battery tray? It looks like it might just unbolt . . .

Thanks!

-Joe

 

I guess I was assuming again, Joe......sorry.... but I've seen some '97 Rangers that a shiny, new bungie cord WOULD class it up a bit!

BarnieTrk

 

You maybe able to find the parts you need in the junk yard. Just clean it up a bit before you install it.

 

Thanks guys,

My 97 Ranger is my pride and joy. People always comment on it and say it looks brand new. I live in Virginia and used to drive it almost 900 miles out to St. Louis for college every semester.

I've also driven it from Washington DC to Los Angeles CA and back TWICE without any problems. (One time I came home over the Rocky Mountains . . . that was quite an adventure)

Of all the cars and trucks I've bought and sold, I will keep this Ranger forever.

It has been more loyal to me than any girlfriend I've ever had.

 

I don't know exactly what you are talking about, however it sounds like you should just remove the bolt(liquid wrench) get a new bolt with a nut and lock washer. you can use those plastic licking straps temporarily. a battery will get trashed bouncing around.

 

I just edited my profile, this is a test to see if my vehicle information shows up here . . .

 

When you get some time and have better weather or a garage to work in you can drill out the broken bolt and maybe use an easy-out to get the broken part out. Soak it for a few days before hand with your favorite rusty bolt spray. Take out the battery so you can get close to the area of work. Check the remaining part of the bolt you have and get a drill bit just a little smaller so that you might also be able to use a tap the same size as the bolt to clean out the threads on the battery tray. Take your time with the drill bit so you can stay in the middle of the broken bolt and not go off to the side of it and into the threaded area when drilling. If nothing else you might need to drill it out to the next larger size and make new threads with a tap the next size up and get a new bolt. Your original plastic hold down might be able to handle the next size larger bolt if you drill it out to that size. Once done with the drilling and tapping use some grease around and under the threaded hole and on the new bolt to keep it from rusting up and breaking off. Put on some new grease every time you take the bolt out of the tray and it will stay workable for the life of the truck. Or like you were thinking, get a new tray. Some of them don't remove to easy. But use grease on the bolt which ever way you go.

 

When I discovered my sons truck was like this with the bolt broken off ,I took battery box out and sprayed pb blaster (love that stuff) on underside of broken bolt. It was sticking through just enough to get a pair off vise grips on it and turn it out from the bottom side. His hold down wedge was missing as well. I went to advance auto and bought a dorman products part 00885. Fit perfectly had 2 bolts with it 1 long and 1 short. I think the bolts are m6x1.0 thread. Fords part # E7TZ10718B for hold down wedge and bolt kit. The dorman 00885 is the same.

 

If you remove the battery tray from the truck(yes that is possible) you may discover a portion of the bolt sticks out the bottom. If that is the case then clamp a vise grip on it, heat the nut area with a torch and spray with lubricant while trying to work the bolt back and forth a little at a time to loosen it up. Once you get it moving a full turn it should come out, but if that fails then just drill it out and tap the hole for an oversized bolt.

 

Same thing happened to me. I just moved the wedge a little and put in a self tapping screw. I had to search for a while to find a self tapper long enough but I did and its working fine.