[Crystal330i]

Hey all, so I might just be stupid, but I can't seem to disconnect my negative terminal on my battery. Maybe it's something the previous owner did, but I loosened the nut all the way to the top of the screw and I still cant disconnect the battery. I also tried removing the nut completely but that won't work either - it refuses to come off. It seems to be like hitting something - when I tried use a little force to twist the nut off I saw some metal chips fly out wtf

Here's some photos and a vid- am I just stupid? I've been at it for like 30 minutes.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TwN...ew?usp=sharing

[TZ]

Wiggle the terminal

[Tommy D]

Yes, wiggle back and forth, you can even put a flat blade screwdriver in the slot to open it up a bit.

[Crystal330i]

I tried wiggling it of course, but that wasn’t working. I tried the flathead too without any luck. Any ideas? https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YgR...w?usp=drivesdk

[Billfitz]

Remove the bolt completely, pry the connector fins apart.

[Qsilver7]

As others already mentioned, once you've loosened the bolt...you should be able to use a flat head screwdriver to push the connector open further so that it can be pulled off the terminal.

You can see the distance between the two ends in the images below of the negative battery terminal:

[Crystal330i]

I really am stumped… I’ve tried pulling and wiggling on the terminal with force, prying apart the fins with a flathead, and loosened the bolt to the very end (the bolt won’t come off completely for some reason. I’ve tried wedging a screwdriver in the bottom square shaped part of the bolt to stop it from turning and tried removing the nut, but it won’t budge. At this point I’ve been trying it for far too long and I’m contemplating having a shop look at it or something… anybody have some suggestions, or am I just dumb?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hgyFyO-KBmhnA6_KKjbhmr3iF7R-fY50/view?usp=drivesdk

[Livetodrive]

How about placing two flat head screwdrivers in the gap and twisting them apart?

[Crystal330i]

No luck - I tried inserting the screwdrivers in the gap and twisting as hard as I could comfortably go without being scared of breaking something. It's still stuck like a mf'er.

I did see these: https://www.princessauto.com/en/heav...t/PA0009143264

Anybody have any experience with a tool like this?

[wishbone]

I feel like you don’t need to pull like that… but this is the most bizarre thing I’ve seen related to negative battery terminals

[RAK92]

Sorry to hear. I had an issue like that on my Honda Pilot but was able to pry the gap open to pull the cable off. Hopefully you find a way to get it off and if you do, please tell us how you did it. I'd feel the same way as well and would be worried about breaking something if I pried/pulled too hard.

[Tommy D]

Did you try using some liquid penetrant? Like Kroil?

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by RAK92

I had an issue like that on my Honda Pilot but was able to pry the gap open to pull the cable off.

It really couldn't be more easy. Insert a screwdriver blade into the slot, twist the screwdriver to pry the tangs apart. Use a pair of pliers to twist the screwdriver if required.

[Crystal330i]

Originally Posted by Tommy D

Did you try using some liquid penetrant? Like Kroil?

Will give this a try! Thanks for the suggestion.

Yeah this is such a weird issue, I had a couple friends come over who are definitely more mechanically knowledgeable than me and we still couldn't get it off...

[toxik]

im more curious what you do once you get it off, do you just put it back on? are you replacing the battery or anything. i know that negative terminal cable alone is like $120 or something.

[Crystal330i]

Originally Posted by toxik

im more curious what you do once you get it off, do you just put it back on? are you replacing the battery or anything. i know that negative terminal cable alone is like $120 or something.

Honestly I have no idea. Ordered some of that liquid penetrant and gonna try it with the battery terminal puller thing. Hopefully it comes off with no damage... this is the last time I'll have to take it off so praying I don't have to deal with this bs again

[closetwagonlover]

You dont need oil, just spread the clamp man. Wedge a flathead in the crack and break the seal. You can do this!!

[Alek Melkonian]

The metal chips you saw are likely from the square back stop slipping on the metal. If you notice carefully, you will see the bolt that the nut is on is square. This is done so when you loosen or tighten the nut, the bolt stays in place. More than likely, the previous owner overtightened or stripped the nut, caused it to get stuck on the bolt, and the bolt is now moving with the nut. You probably think you’re loosening it, but you’re not. You need to find a way to stop the bolt from spinning while loosening the nut, or just cut it off all together and get a new terminal.