Battery Replacement Help - Spinning Bolt

[boilerdam]

So, I'm trying to replace my dead battery, it finally bit the dust after 6 faithful years and now it seems like it doesn't want to come out!

This is more of a generic hardware problem - I was able to loosen the 6mm bolt of the battery holder but it just freely spins and doesn't rise up. Therefore, I can't get the battery holder out. I've tried jiggling and using some force to lift the battery holder but it still doesn't come out. Since it's a plastic part, I don't really want to stress it too much.

What are my options now? I hope the threads are not stripped (although, I think they are)... and how would the threads have gotten stripped anyway? It's not like I take that bolt out regularly.

FYI, I have the Sports suspension and that anti-torsion beam in front of the battery is a nuisance but I can still access this bolt without taking it off.

[mtroxel]

I can't get the battery holder out. I've tried jiggling and using some force to lift the battery holder but it still doesn't come out. Since it's a plastic part, I don't really want to stress it too much.

You may not have a choice. you might have to break that plastic to get the battery out of the way. Then you can see what's going on with the threads on that bolt. It's not the most expensive part you'll buy on an Audi.

[boilerdam]

I guess breaking it is the way to go now... but even breaking it in such a way to get the battery out is hard! It's easy to pop the long, thin handle; the bottom part (that's holding the battery down at the lip) is thick solid plastic with limited access.. tough to break it! But your link did give me a better understanding of what's underneath it. I'll have to fashion a thin prying tool to try and get underneath the plastic and push it up somehow. At least, I can get the car running with a jump starter. I've already done it since yesterday and don't want to ruin the alternator.

[mtroxel]

Yea, might be a job for a hammer and chisel. A torch to soften up the plastic sounds like a good idea till you consider how explosive lead/acid batteries can be....

[Sanjman]

Try unscrewing it while you pull the bolt up (towards you), this may require you to use some kind of plastic or wooden stick to pry it up while you spin the bolt counter clockwise. I have a feeling it's not the bolt but the thread between the plastic where the battery sits.

[Axis]

Try unscrewing it while you pull the bolt up (towards you), this may require you to use some kind of plastic or wooden stick to pry it up while you spin the bolt counter clockwise. I have a feeling it's not the bolt but the thread between the plastic where the battery sits.

Or pulling on the big black plastic handle :P

[Sanjman]

Or pulling on the big black plastic handle :P

Lol yeah I just thought of that just now.... brain fart

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[Theiceman]

Yea, might be a job for a hammer and chisel. A torch to soften up the plastic sounds like a good idea till you consider how explosive lead/acid batteries can be....

yeah you would have to log that one under the " what could possibly go wrong" category.