I've been trying off and on for the last week to get the positive battery cable off of my wife's 2013 Ford Focus to no avail. Luckily I drive a company vehicle and she can drive my car to wherever she needs to. I've tried vice grips, taps with a hammer, screwdrivers, pry bars, baking soda and water and brute force all unsuccessfully. Just tried a battery terminal puller with no luck. It seems to be welded on and thoroughly stuck. I hate to try WD-40 or PB Blaster because it's flammable. The battery is completely dead though. I'm also concerned that, if I end up ripping the terminal off the battery, when I go to take the battery out, I'll dump battery acid all over. Any other suggestions?
There has been a couple battery terminals I've come across that have, it's hard to explain. On the side of the connector there is a cut in the metal strap, often hidden by flanges. Those are bent in, in such a way as to dig into the post when you try to take them off making removal very difficult. I've done as suggested above on 2 of them with just cutting them off and replacing them. The first I came across I pried on forever and finally got it off but had to bend retention tabs and stuff to get it to where I could pry it far enough. That one was the first I came across and was pretty mangled by the time I got it off. It was still usable and I didn't have the money at the time to replace it so I kept using it, It lasted until we traded the vehicle in.
I don't know if the one you are having trouble with is this kind, but honestly, I'd go with the above suggestion and just cut it off and replace it. Much less of a headache and if you get a "car stereo" version of a battery terminal it will look just as clean as stock, maybe better. Something like this, or just a regular one if you are unconcerned about appearance and expanded functionality.
I've heard about this issue with the newer Ford cars. The terminal just slips on but it is a real pain to remove. People have recommended tapping it with a hammer to actually make it tighter, which should make the inner diameter spread out more. Then you can try removing it.
Assuming it's a typical top post, made out of lead...drill a small hole (1/8") or three in to the post right at the edge of the post, as close to the terminal as you can without cutting in to the terminal. Only drill the depth of the terminal. Also assuming you can get at the terminal with a drill. Should be soft as butter and drill easy. Might want to vacuum up the lead shavings so you don't poison anyone/anything.
Others might have better ideas, this is just what came to mind.
If it is the typical top post battery terminal, you can try this: take the nut and bolt off that clamp the terminal in place, then use a hammer and punch to work the terminal back and forth. Try to hit the inside surface of the terminal because that works to loosen it. If you can imagine it as a "C" you would want the punch to be on the tips pushing it in a rotating direction with each hammer strike. If you don't have a punch, you can use a large bolt, preferably hardened.
Another thing you can try is to place your pry bar between the two sides of the terminal and try to pry it open.
How bout taking the car to Advance Auto Parts, Auto Zone, Oreilly's or one of the other parts stores that do free battery installs. I have no doubt that when you purchase a battery, they'll get it done.
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. In a moment of persistence along with a well-placed socket extension and hammer, I was able to loosen the clamp up and finally get it off. I've worked on cars for about thirty years and never had a battery clamp be that stubborn. Car's up and running again with anew battery.
