Easdy-out, bolt-out, or something else?

[crikett]

My car won't run, and I'm 95% certain it's the battery (thinking one or more cells are dead... isn't an old battery, but I've charged for 8 hours and it's showing 75% or so; can turn on the lights or stereo, but try to turn it over. Can hear the solenoid click, the headlights dim when trying to start, but other than the very first time I tried, doesn't seem to be putting out enough to even start to power the starter). The same thing happened a few years ago, so I'm inclined to think the battery... and being that it's still under warranty I thought it'd be a matter of quickly pulling it out and running over and getting it replaced and then be all ready for P-car fun!

But alas not... when to get the battery out and the area around it is worse off than when I last looked in here about two months back and the bolt on the hold down absolutely won't budge. I've tried soaking it for a time in WD40 and removed some of the other stuff in and around it two really get some leverage on there, but no luck (this is a round bolt with a hex in the middle... and the hex in the middle is getting pretty rounded now too, even though I couldn't get it to budge before).

So what now? I don't have any easy outs or bolt outs, but figuring a trip to the hardware store for some is in order... the question is, what do the experts here think would be better? Or something else I might be missing (or any comments at all on the problem in general)?

Thanks

[larrym]

depends on your access to tools

just cut it off

- use a torch, or a cutoff wheel on a die grinder or ?

or - push-start the car & drive it to someone who has the tools

.

[Danny_Ocean]

Bolt-out, long extension, hammer, impact wrench. Soak with AeroKroil. Do not use a torch on that part of your car.

[crikett]

Thanks - will give it a shot.

[Porchcar guy]

Sounds like the hold down is junk so just cut it off and get a new fastener.

[Ian Comerford]

First of all wd40 is no good for this job, it's a water dispersant (hence WD). Try Wurths Rost Off. Also try tightening the bolt just to get it to move, it could work as you haven't rounded the corners off in that direction.

Good luck

Ian

[schumicat]

+1 get a real rust penetrant like PB Blaster let soak overnight

wuerth good but not sold at most US auto parts stores

Originally Posted by Ian Comerford

First of all wd40 is no good for this job, it's a water dispersant (hence WD). Try Wurths Rost Off. Also try tightening the bolt just to get it to move, it could work as you haven't rounded the corners off in that direction.

Good luck

Ian

[nowaydude]

Get a bigger wrench or ratchet and PB Blaster and work it in and out,back and forth.