Negative ground cable bolt

[krs09]

So I wanted to check out my ground cable bolt because I have quite a few electrical bugs going on now and realized I have never checked it out. It looked a little rusty which I know is not very good but check out the state of this bolt! I know its not my saving grace but Im sure this couldn't have helped right? Anything I should do other than just get a new bolt and washer? Use grease? Clean the threads in the bracket?

246052460624607

[Delorean Industries]

Check the condition of the terminal end on the cable. Chances are it is coming apart and heavily corroded if the hardware looks like that. Prime time to upgrade the cable section and replace the hardware.

[Chris 16409]

The original "Flag" style battery cable terminals are not very impressive. After 30 years they do not do a very good job. With little effort, I was able to "peal" off one of the terminals with my hand.

[Bitsyncmaster]

The original "Flag" style battery cable terminals are not very impressive. After 30 years they do not do a very good job. With little effort, I was able to "peal" off one of the terminals with my hand.

+1

I found the same "flag" terminals have marginal connection. You want to be sure the frame at the bolt hole is clean right to the metal. Your bolt should not have to carry the current, the contact of the terminal to frame should. Buy new wires from your vender. It takes a large crimper and large soldering iron to build your own wires.

[krs09]

+1

I found the same "flag" terminals have marginal connection. You want to be sure the frame at the bolt hole is clean right to the metal. Your bolt should not have to carry the current, the contact of the terminal to frame should. Buy new wires from your vender. It takes a large crimper and large soldering iron to build your own wires.

Thanks fellas. The cable itself didnt look nearly as bad as the bolt but "while im in there". Any idea on vendors that have good updated cables? I know I have clean the surface for the terminal but does the epoxy covering make a big difference? Now I think about I not really sure it even touches the epoxy.. Im losin it, It was late and dark.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Thanks fellas. The cable itself didnt look nearly as bad as the bolt but "while im in there". Any idea on vendors that have good updated cables? I know I have clean the surface for the terminal but does the epoxy covering make a big difference? Now I think about I not really sure it even touches the epoxy.. Im losin it, It was late and dark.

I will wire brush the epoxy off with a stiff drill type wire brush. It takes a lot of work if the epoxy is still thick there. Then after I bolt the cable on, I paint over it all.

[jmpdmc]

Chris,

If you want new cables, DPI is the way to go. Not cheap but high quality. Here are a couple pictures, one of my original positive cable ends and one of DPI's new negative cable ends: 2462824629 I have not seen new cables from other vendors.


Jeff

[krs09]

Ive been lookin around a little for a new cable. I work at a Chevy dealership and we have a few cables here that look like they should work. If the cable fits at the trailing arm and on the battery is there anything else I should look out for? Is a Gm negative cable for newer cars ok?? - I did see DPI has nice ones (a full kit) but its way outta my price range. DPNW has used ones but just dont wanna run into the same problem. What do you think??

[Bitsyncmaster]

Ive been lookin around a little for a new cable. I work at a Chevy dealership and we have a few cables here that look like they should work. If the cable fits at the trailing arm and on the battery is there anything else I should look out for? Is a Gm negative cable for newer cars ok?? - I did see DPI has nice ones (a full kit) but its way outta my price range. DPNW has used ones but just dont wanna run into the same problem. What do you think??

You want 4 AWG or even better 2 AWG for those battery cables.

[Chris4099]

You can also get a new ground cable from specialtauto.com (about 1/3 the way down on the main page). Not as complete as the DPI set, but much cheaper. The one from specialtauto.com relocates the primary battery ground to the transmission (better direct connection to the starter this way). You then run a second cable from the transmission back to the trailing arm bolt to insure the rest of the car is properly grounded.

Here is a thread on the cable that includes pics of it installed:
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?159-SpecialTAuto-New-Battery-Ground-Cables/

[EdR5150]

My negative cable has cracked insulation. The flag style terminal barely made contact with the copper, and twisted right off. I got my replacement from a scrapyard: http://www.16908.info/?p=2201

NAPA has hundreds of battery cables, many with the GM style side post mounts. Had I known this, I would have skipped the scrapyard. http://www.napaonline.com/

[krs09]

A little update on my bolt and negative battery cable issue.. I ended up going with this cable from GM, the part# is 88860071. It looked to have the best fit and length for my battery (cable bolts onto the battery, no post) as well as looking very durable and I really loved the way the end that bolts to the frame is cut. Only 25 bucks.

After hooking up the new cable and new bolt I could not believe the difference in power to all my lights. My dash lights were much brighter especially the turn signal indicators. Ive had a problem with my headlights and door lights (leds) flickering when on but not running, flipping on the high beams made it a little worse but now i've seen no problem at all, so far. Tail lights are much brighter now too and it cranks over much stronger.. My D has been a little battle so far, so to have a cheap fix go as well as planned (fit,work,improve) is a great change of pace... Just need a few in a row now. -- Sorry for the crappy pics


247582475924760