new owner - need to remove the side panel battery cover

[cargohauler]

When trying access the battery compartment I've been able to remove screws at wheel well but can't figure out how th get the top bolt released in the drivers side door area. Seems very basic but when I try to back out the bolt it tightens in both directions - the old rightsee tightsee -leftsee lucy doesn't seem to work - please help - is this some type of captivated bolt? Thanks

 

[JonM]

Check it out

http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2001/october/battery/bat1.asp

 

[cargohauler]

Thank you this looks to be very helpful infor mation - i'm headed to the garage to give it a try - what a terrific service this forum!

 

[oldace84]

I've done this only once in the 12 years I've owned my '84.....
But as I remember it was complicated....time consuming....but easy enough...you've probably already done this by now....
So what do you think??????
tony

 

[cargohauler]

No - i have not been able to take this totally apart yet the weather this past week end was so cold even in the garage that i gave up. Will try again today - but there is this one bolt that just seems to tighten whatever direction i turn it. I'm so concerned that the fiber glass panel will break that i don't want to force it. Everyother bolt or screw backs out just fine but the one half way up above the door hinge is a puzel. thanks for replying.

 

[Rabbit]

There is a clip receptor for the screw, can't recall the correct name of it. Try inserting a small screwdriver between the clip & the fender & maybe the screw will back out. It's the same as when you remove a striped screw. I recall I had a time trying to get mine started when I changed the battery

 

[cargohauler]

Rabbit - Your suggestions was right on the mark -that's all it took. I'm a novice mechanic and very cautious about stripping out threads thanks for the tip! My problem is solved.

 

[Corvette-Pilot]

Be careful when you reinstall it.
Make sure everything is clean and don't over tighten it !!

I got my baby in Sept and put a new battery in. When I pulled the panel off several of the holes were broken off.
Either someone over cranked them or there was a small rock/dirt between the fender and the panel and cracked it.

I got a perfect one off ebay for $15 but I have to get it painted.

 

[cargohauler]

Pilot - Thank you for the advice - it would be just my luck to crack it putting things back together. Now that you all helped me figure out how to remove - i'm taking my time to clean it up and put things back together very carefully. It will be a mounth or so before we'll being driving vettes in Minnesota. Still a lot of salt and gravel on the pavement.

 

[kalmwill]

I put in a new battery and was unaware that there was a procedure where one had to remove the side panel. As a result I went at it by removing the bracket holding the cruise control, and slipped out the old battery and similarly slipped in the new one. It was a bit of a squeeze but things worked out.
The battery that I used was a Delco, which is sealed unit. I had to initially tilt it vertically to get it down and in. If I had been using a plain lead acid battery I probably would have spilled some of its contents and would have been unable to do what I did.