Battery Swap w/ Pix

ripple · 02-14-2010, 05:12 PM

Hey all, I changed out my battery today and its was not all that bad to do at all, in fact it was much easier then the subsequent oil change (damn dealer did it last and the drain plug was a bear to break open). I did not remove the fender in full, but instead went through the wheel well.

Anyway for those that are in need here are some how to pix to help you along the way.

1. I lifted and removed the passenger tire. (I am thinking you dont need this photo (though I took it just the same)

2. Removed the wheel liner fasteners, mind you I have the push pin ones in front you might have the screw types (if so when you replace them dont crank them down, you will crack your wheel liner - which is why I have the push pin type). You will also need to remove the one bolt fastener in the back.

3. With them removed, you can fold back the wheel liner and tuck it behind the brake disc. as shown. You are going to have to remove the fender brace, its three bolts and one nut, the nut is on top and not shown. The bottom bolt, is from underneath the car, and is the one fender bolt you need to remove. With the nut, and three bolts removed you can maneuver the brace out, the top will need to clear a fairly long threaded shaft, so go slow and gentle and it will come out.

4. With the brace out, disconnect your battery terminals and the single bolt that is the hold down bolt.

5. With all that done, you can gently slid the battery past the wire harnesses and out the wheel well. HERE IS A LINK, you will find the official diagrams in that post that make this all pretty darn clear (thanks Small Dealer)

6. Just reverse it all to insert the new battery and reassemble in reverse. When reattaching the brace, get it in position and tighten up the two bolts to the frame first, then the bottom bolt and top nut, you might need to to a little bit of aligning with it all back in place, but its very minimal.

and just like that you are all set with a new battery

Start to finish this was less than one hour, sure a battery should take 10 minutes in most cars but our are not most!

All in all, it was fairly simple, the idea of taking this much apart was more daunting then the actual process.

Hope someone finds this helpful.

millikentech · 02-14-2010, 05:28 PM

good deal, thanks for the info

stang · 02-14-2010, 07:57 PM

Pretty creative way to change the battery.

BTW, your new battery looks awesome! I plan to switch to the 6-pack style when the time comes.

flhtcui · 02-14-2010, 11:00 PM

Thanks for the write up and pics. Was just looking at mine today and trying to figure out how the hell it was going to come out of there when the time came. Bad enough just getting at the engine oil drain plug.
Jim

sirwm · 02-15-2010, 05:29 AM

nice job !

Thanks for the pics on this procedure.

lil goat · 02-23-2010, 09:27 AM

I have to do this this weekend if not sooner, I have done hours of research on the battery to get. Optima calls for a Red Top Group 25, I have a Red Top in my truck, it is an over priced piece of junk. Nothing but problems, I have read many reviews saying the same thing, Optimas are not what they used to be. The Yellow top is a deep cycle battery has less cold cranking amps but will hold a charge and recharge better. It seems to hold up better as well. The best battery I read about was the Odyssey 1230, 710 cold cranking amps and it is a deep cycle battery but it is $269! Turns out the Sears Platinum is the same battery, they have a Group 75 battery that should fit (we will soon see) it is $189, still pretty steep but 4 year 100% replacement or 100 months prorated. So it's off to Sears I go, I am very glad to know I can pull it through the wheel well. I have removed and replaced the fender but was not looking forward to doing it again. (why did I do the research, check stereo listed below)

prattm · 02-25-2010, 10:39 AM

Why not just remove the side panel? You avoid the jacking and tire removal.
Just asking........

Carbon Sky · 02-25-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prattm

Why not just remove the side panel? You avoid the jacking and tire removal.
Just asking........

Why?! Because jacking up the car, and removing a tire is WAY faster/easier then removing the side panel, and most importantly, realligning the side panel and reinstalling.

lil goat · 02-25-2010, 12:59 PM

I found something even easier, I drove into Sears bought a new battery and paid them $30 to install it, don't know how they did it don't care. Took them an hour an a half, while I sat in IHOP and ate free pancakes for National pancake day. They may be the best $30 I ever spent, it's cold outside and my Harley lives in my garage and I don't want to wake it. (I am pretty sure they put the car on a lift and did it through the wheel well, fender didn't look like it had been removed)

starchoice · 02-25-2010, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lil goat

I found something even easier, I drove into Sears bought a new battery and paid them $30 to install it, don't know how they did it don't care. Took them an hour an a half, while I sat in IHOP and ate free pancakes for National pancake day. They may be the best $30 I ever spent

You trusted Sears with your car? You went to IHOP while they had it? You are one trusting dude after all the horror stories here about damaged vehicles at the dealer just from an oil change!

BIO Hazard · 02-26-2010, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lil goat

I found something even easier, I drove into Sears bought a new battery and paid them $30 to install it, don't know how they did it don't care. Took them an hour an a half, while I sat in IHOP and ate free pancakes for National pancake day. They may be the best $30 I ever spent, it's cold outside and my Harley lives in my garage and I don't want to wake it. (I am pretty sure they put the car on a lift and did it through the wheel well, fender didn't look like it had been removed)

Been following you on the forum since I joined... I have to admit this one even shocked me. Seems so out of character... Everything ok?

lil goat · 02-26-2010, 05:29 AM

I had to get a new battery, that was not an option unless I parked the car, old one was dead, would not take a charge. It was dark and cold, I could not envision myself in my driveway with a flashlight pulling my fender and freezing. I spoke with the guy at length about all the pitfalls, bending the fender when lifting and such. The guy that was going to do it was 60+ he was very concerned about my car and not damaging it, did a great job and all for $30. I think as with many things a lot is in how you approach people, I told them it was a pain up front. They didn't have much else going on in the shop. I also bought the best battery they had in the place, funny thing was the thing he complained about most was getting in and out of my car, it is lowered about 3 inches and it is a bitch to get in and out of if you aren't used to it. Outcome was great, and I got free pancakes! The battery has gotten better now that it has a full charge, voltage reads a nice 14+ all the time now even with heated seat, rear window defroster, headlights and fogs and the monster amp cranked. I am very pleased.

GCS · 03-26-2010, 10:07 AM

As the Optima Redtop is a little over an inch longer did you have to remove or bend the end tabs on the floor plate down to fit the battery? And did you have to replace the plate screw in order to use the wider optima securing plug?

palum · 03-26-2010, 05:12 PM

Excellent presentation....the pictures definitely make it doable even if you are not that mechanical such as myself. Problem is your vehicle has to be home where you have access to a jack and any other tools you may need.
I think most of us feel apprehensive of being away somewhere and the sickening feeling when you turn the key and nothing happens.
Found a small battery jumper /air compressor unit that appears may fit very nicely in our small trunk. for the little space it may use, it may be very well worth it and get you going especially if you are doing extensive travelling. The unit is made by westin.. $69....$59 if you get it on sale. Saw it at west marine. Hope this helps.

Charlie

Morfious · 03-26-2010, 08:32 PM

I can verify the Optima Yellow top fits in the Sol without any issues. I have an Optima Red top in my Jeep. Replaced 1x under warranty for failure to charge (after leaving my lights on for the 30th time). Other than that I have had no issues with my Red top. Perhaps newer Optima batteries are more problematic.

I am quite pleased with my yellow top so far.