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Replacing battery terminals

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Old Oct 5, 2025 | 07:06 PM
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Replacing battery terminals

My battery completely died so I figured I would re-do the old cracked terminals while I swap out the battery. Is there a secret on how to remove these cables from the old oem terminals? I don't see a pinch point anywhere where I can loosen.
Otherwise, is the solution to just cut the cables? The red one is pretty much at the minumum length needed. Is there a way to extend it?


 
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Old Oct 5, 2025 | 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by zackh123
Is there a secret on how to remove these cables from the old oem terminals? I don't see a pinch point anywhere where I can loosen.
Otherwise, is the solution to just cut the cables? The red one is pretty much at the minumum length needed. Is there a way to extend it?
Nope. You already have one end of the cable removed from the battery. Follow the positive cable to the other end and disconnect it from the solenoid. For the negative cable disconnect it from the frame and engine block.

The solution is to go buy new cables.
 
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Old Oct 6, 2025 | 01:44 AM
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If you want to go all the way, go to O'Reilly's or find another store nearby that will cut cable for you. I went one size larger than stock with mine. Measure for length, add several spare inches, and have them cut what you need. Add copper lugs to fit the fasteners. Marine heat shrink over the junction to seal the exposed cable, or maybe some liquid electrical tape. Military-type battery terminals so everything bolts together. Done. Never need to worry about it again. And if the terminals need replacing (sometimes they break if you tighten the clamp bolt too tight), it's simple to unbolt the cables and replace just the terminal.
 

Last edited by seschenburg; Oct 6, 2025 at 08:08 AM.
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Old Oct 6, 2025 | 08:01 AM
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Some lesser expensive brands work fine, SMP for example. HD ones, consider Custombatterycables.com they also sell components
 
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