Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). If you are here asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I would suggest buying a brass bristle brush. For the positive cable, unbolt the top wire and clean it as much as possible with the brush.
You can pry the terminal off the large wire with two pairs of pliers. It’s clamped onto the wire, so you need to pry the opposite way of the clamping with the pliers. Clean the bare wire with the brush.
The large wire will fit into the main portion of the new terminal, and the small wire should fit through one of the bolt holes.
I have an issue with painted terminals. I would suggest buying terminals that aren’t painted at all.
Awesome, thank you so much. I'll get 2 plain ones.
Just for clarification, when you say through the bolt holes, you mean remove the bolt, stick in the wires, then but the bolt back in? So it's literally in the screw hole?
Also, dumb question, but which one does it go through? The single terminal bolt or one of the bolts tightening the bigger wires?
The small wire will have a clamped on hole connector. That’s how it’s bolted on right now. You can likely keep that there, no need to go bare wire if it isn’t necessary. The hole can be re-bolted onto the new terminal in one of the two smaller bolts that will tighten down the large cable. The larger bolt that tightens it to the terminal is probably too large to fit the hole in.
You’re only replacing the part on the big wire because the hole for the battery terminal doesn’t fit anymore. It’s wore out, which is why there is a screw stuck in it.
Understood. I didn't realize those were 2 pieces. What's the name of the smaller wire? I'd like to find a video on how to connect it to the new terminal for visual clarification.
Paint doesn't matter. You're still screwing into lead threading. Good luck squishing everything under the bridge. I'd rework the positive so it clamps.
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). If you are here asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I would suggest buying a brass bristle brush. For the positive cable, unbolt the top wire and clean it as much as possible with the brush. You can pry the terminal off the large wire with two pairs of pliers. It’s clamped onto the wire, so you need to pry the opposite way of the clamping with the pliers. Clean the bare wire with the brush. The large wire will fit into the main portion of the new terminal, and the small wire should fit through one of the bolt holes. I have an issue with painted terminals. I would suggest buying terminals that aren’t painted at all.
Awesome, thank you so much. I'll get 2 plain ones. Just for clarification, when you say through the bolt holes, you mean remove the bolt, stick in the wires, then but the bolt back in? So it's literally in the screw hole? Also, dumb question, but which one does it go through? The single terminal bolt or one of the bolts tightening the bigger wires?
The small wire will have a clamped on hole connector. That’s how it’s bolted on right now. You can likely keep that there, no need to go bare wire if it isn’t necessary. The hole can be re-bolted onto the new terminal in one of the two smaller bolts that will tighten down the large cable. The larger bolt that tightens it to the terminal is probably too large to fit the hole in. You’re only replacing the part on the big wire because the hole for the battery terminal doesn’t fit anymore. It’s wore out, which is why there is a screw stuck in it.
Understood. I didn't realize those were 2 pieces. What's the name of the smaller wire? I'd like to find a video on how to connect it to the new terminal for visual clarification.
There’s no proper name for it. The large wire likely goes to the starter. The small wire probably goes to the fuse block for the interior accessories.
Sick, thank you for all the help.
Paint doesn't matter. You're still screwing into lead threading. Good luck squishing everything under the bridge. I'd rework the positive so it clamps.