Battery Tray Repair

[WHX?? 48,814]

We all ...well most of us anyway have come across battery trays with the hoobie doo that holds the the battery retainer on either corroded off by old battery acid or just plain snapped off. Just thought I'd share how I repair them. 

First grind off the remains of the factory ones. The holes are from some PO cobblement. 

 

Next cut the heads off two 1/4-20 x1 1/2' bolts. longer bolts will work too as long as they have a unthreaded shank. You can always bob them to length.  

 

This part is my favorite  as I might have been a blacksmith in a past life! 

Heat them to cherry red and commence to flatten the unthreaded shank. Use your nuts to protect the threads and something for the vise grips to bite on to. 

Hammer them to shape. you don't need a BFH, I use a small ball peen. Anvil is a chunk of railroad iron.

Reheat & repeat as required to get the desired shape.

 

 

 

Doesn't have to be perfect as it goes to the bench grinder for final shape. 

Measure out and clamp them in the desired location on the tray. 

 

Weld them on. I braze mine on I am not a welder yet.  I have guys that are welders that I pay to be my friends so maybe when they tell me to stick it I'll buy a welder! Pretty sure the Ponds spot welded them on so I coulda took them to work but this was a giterdone. 

Make a strap for it and all done ....its Miller time!

Ready for red. This one is going on an original so I just spot it a bit with rusty primer and it blends in with most fine patinas. 

Edited December 5, 2020 by WHX24

[WHX?? 48,814]

@Achto turned me on to using angle instead of flat stock... makes for a bit beefier strap. Longer thread section gives an option to make some cushions. I also use some foam tape on the bottom & back side for cushioning as well. Dan has a  to the cushion hooby doos. 

Edited December 4, 2020 by WHX24

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,297]

wonder if rivets would work ? Don't know how to weld or brazing .

[WHX?? 48,814]

13 minutes ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said:

Don't know how to weld or brazing .

Buy some friends like I do who do. 

[Achto 27,563]

33 minutes ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said:

wonder if rivets would work ? Don't know how to weld or brazing .

 

Rivets would work just fine. If your using pop rivets you'll have to put the heads on the inside of the battery tray.

 

Here is one link for the rubber bumpers.

 

https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/fasteners/vibration-isolators/isolators-machine-leveling/vibration-shock-absorption-mount-threaded-stud-100-inch-dia-75-inch-h-1-4-20-thread?infoParam.campaignId=T9F&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2af-BRDzARIsAIVQUOefswGT1hS7FLgrJm6E7bev7pYWdQHe_FIBTQovoTL1Cm9ke5HFb60aApU_EALw_wcB

 

A cordless drill & an oiled razor blade works good to cut the rubber down to the height that you want.

[8ntruck 6,998]

One could also drill a hole in the flat on the bolt and attach them with a plug weld through the hole to simulate a spot weld.

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,297]

39 minutes ago, WHX24 said:

Buy some friends like I do who do. 

None of my friends like me that much and I am the one that's handy 

[Handy Don 12,210]

12 minutes ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said:

None of my friends like me that much and I am the one that's handy 

Sad about the first part. I suspect a lot of us have the second part in common with you!

[WHNJ701 4,165]

Momma said since your not handsome you better be handy

[ebinmaine 67,415]

18 minutes ago, jabelman said:

Momma said since your not handsome you better be handy

Red Green. 

 

 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,415]

Nice work there Jimbo. 

 

I s'pose I should oughtta learn to braze stuff too. 

 

 

[WHNJ701 4,165]

7 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Nice work there Jimbo. 

 

I s'pose I should oughtta learn to braze stuff too. 

 

 

Just buy trina some brazing rods for Christmas, they make good stocking stuffers

[WHX?? 48,814]

I hate welding Dan loves it... Dan hates brazing I love it ... match made in heaven no?!?!

Well I don't hate welding just not as practiced as should be. One of these days I'll march over to HF and pick up something. Grab some scrap steel and practice till my eyeballs burn out. It's just that Dan is  a great welder and I got another Bro that was a welding instructor so why??? They need my trade we work it out. 

[ebinmaine 67,415]

5 minutes ago, jabelman said:

Just buy trina some brazing rods for Christmas, they make good stocking stuffers

We don't buy anything for each other other than birthdays .... But mine is coming right up!!!

[WHX?? 48,814]

10 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

We don't buy anything for each other other than birthdays .... But mine is coming right up!!!

Stick with a nail in it ??? Coal in your shoe????

[ebinmaine 67,415]

1 minute ago, WHX24 said:

Stick with a nail in it

That's it.....

[Shynon 7,459]

3 hours ago, WHX24 said:

Use your nuts to protect the threads

[RandyLittrell 3,877]

Brazing probably will handle the vibration better than welding anyway!! 

 

 

 

 

Randy

[WHX?? 48,814]

Always thought so too Randy.... used to braze up snowmobile mufflers and they held. Recently brazed up a leaky muff on the Super C and holding up. Better than the farmer beads I would lay down! 

[19richie66 17,500]

12 hours ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said:

None of my friends like me that much and I am the one that's handy 

I like you Jim.👍

[squonk 41,066]

" 

This part is my favorite  

 Use your nuts to protect the threads and something for the vise grips to bite on to. "

 

Edited December 5, 2020 by squonk

[squonk 41,066]

13 hours ago, WHX24 said:

Buy some friends like I do who do. 

He tried that once. We ended up lost in PA! 

[WHX?? 48,814]

1 hour ago, 19richie66 said:

I like you Jim.👍

Geez thanks Ritchie....wadda I owe ya? 

[squonk 41,066]

9 minutes ago, WHX24 said:

Geez thanks Ritchie....wadda I owe ya? 

you got the wrong Jim, Jim! 

 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,297]

2 hours ago, squonk said:

He tried that once. We ended up lost in PA! 

We weren't lost , the girl that worked at the BBQ was.