Battery hold down replacement

[Expedfan04]

Hey everybody. My battery hold down bolt broke on my 2014 when my battery was replaced. I'd like to try and replace the bolt by drilling out the old piece and rethreading the hole if necessary. Does anybody know the thread specs?
Thanks for the help.

 

[AWAR]

They are m6 x1.25 on 03-06. You might find it easier to take the four bolts out of the tray and repair it on the bench. Kroil is wonderful, PB Blaster is acceptable. Soak then remove the remains from the bottom with vise grips, chase the threads.

 

[Expedfan04]

Thanks a lot, AWAR. This is a big help.

 

[Expedfan04]

Soaked remains of bolt in penetrant for 3 days. Won't budge. I tried to remove battery
tray. I only have three bolts, tray lifts, but can't remove tray. Anybody know how?

 

[AWAR]

Your 14 is different than the 03-06. Your hold down bolt is on the fender side of the battery. The battery tray is part of the windshield washer tank. You might be able to access the bottom of that bolt by removing the inner fender. You will want to make sure you do not drill into the washer tank if you drill too far.

 

[Expedfan04]

Yes, the washer fluid tank is one of the things holding me back. Those three bolts labeled part number 6 in the diagram are out and I remove the tab that's on the pos battery cable that is connected to the tray, but something else is making it hard to lift out. That washer fluid tank is pretty big, from what I can see. I have a copy of the service manual, but they really don't go into detail about the battery tray removal. I can't figure out how to remove the fluid reservoir, it's attached to the side of the tray. Thanks for your reply!

 

[AWAR]

It is probably a one piece assembly, it would all come out together. You know the battery is not going anywhere in that tray. I like to have everything tied down like the factory made it but….
You should be able to see the bottom of the tray if you remove the inner fender. Removing the inner fender without a hoist will probably be a pain. I see you live where they salt the roads to remove ice. The salt products really compromise the steel parts on vehicles. I hope Ford has figured out how the keep the paint on the aluminum parts. Previously I replaced the rear hatch on my 06 Navigator due to corrosion lifting the paint. My 04 Expedition is worse than the Navigator was when I changed the hatch. I bet that some never seize will help the new hold down bolt when you get to that point.

 

[Expedfan04]

I had an '04 that I had to junk because of severe rusting. You're right about the tray being a one-piece assembly. I feel the same way you do about having the battery secured- like the factory intended. I might just put on a universal hold down. It just seems like a lot of work to do it right. These vehicles aren't very easy to work on. Not like the "old days". Thanks for your help.

 

[AWAR]

These are free online factory manuals. Follow the thread and they give complete instructions on how to remove that tray and tank assembly.

 

[Expedfan04]

I just looked up the procedure from the site you sent me. I appreciate all your help. Thanks.