The issue is nothing to do with competence as I have changed plenty of batteries myself. The most recent change was the battery on our Corolla.
The aux battery in the Jeep needs the correct tools to be able to use to remove the battery and nothing to do with competence. It is accessing the bolt or the nut that is holding the strap that keeps the aux battery in place that is an issue. You cannot use a spanner and need a small ratchet with an extension bar.
I do not want to waste money buying a full socket set with ratchet only to find that the ext bar is not long enough. What is the point in buying sockets when you already have a good quality socket set, but minus a 150mm or more ext bar.
I was asking for advice on the correct size of ratchet for my existing socket set and not whether I am competent or not.
A cheap set of old fashioned box spanners would do the job. Looking at the You Tube Video there’s nothing special in the tools he uses
The terminals on the battery are not an issue, it is the retaining nut for the strap that is the issue for me as difficult to access without the correct tools.
Due to issue with hands plus arthritis, the ratchet is easier for me to hold than a normal spanner or even box spanner. Can I assume that the 1/2 inch would be suitable for my current socket set? In metric it looks to be about 14/14mm.
0.5 inch is 12.5mm so you are in the right ballpark. You can get adapters to go between 1/2 to 3/8 or 1/4 if that gives better accessibility. Halfords sell them as do many other outlets.
Draper Expert Socket Converter Set
Manufactured from chrome vanadium steel, hardened and tempered with a polished finish. Sizes: 3/8'' (F) x ¼'' (M), ½'' (F) x 3/8'' (M) and 3/8'' (F) x ½'' (M).
www.toolstation.com
Mel
Moderator
That’s a point Hutch. Thinking about it, the Prof has been very quiet on this forum lately. Anyone know if he is OK?
Mel
Buy yourself an extension bar LIKE THIS IF QUICK
Clumsy for this task but usable with what you have.
Clumsy for this task but usable with what you have.
Looks like something like this would be the cheapest option, but without seeing the job it's impossible to determine whether there is adequate access.
Using a box spanner for the securing strap washer-nut gets over the need for having a "deep" type socket to accommodate the stud's extensions.
Thanks OC that is the confirmation i was hoping to get. Not too much of an issue using tools, but don't want to order the incorrect one only to return it.0.5 inch is 12.5mm so you are in the right ballpark. You can get adapters to go between 1/2 to 3/8 or 1/4 if that gives better accessibility. Halfords sell them as do many other outlets.
Draper Expert Socket Converter Set
Manufactured from chrome vanadium steel, hardened and tempered with a polished finish. Sizes: 3/8'' (F) x ¼'' (M), ½'' (F) x 3/8'' (M) and 3/8'' (F) x ½'' (M).
May be at our ages although the spirit is willing the flesh isn’t quite as flexible as it was😉.
Sometimes what looks simple and something you may have done 20 years ago takes on a different image. These days we use GSI. Get Someone In.
Surely there’s a young lad or lass locally who could do it for you for a beer? Have you asked one of them who may do “moonlighting”when not at one of the tyre exhaust places😉🤪
Is it a case where the physical issues with the spanner fade into insignificance relative to potential issues with the CANBUS?
Or is JEEP one of the brands that look after that DIY issue?
Or is JEEP one of the brands that look after that DIY issue?
Being macho I am hoping to do it myself however there have been the odd occasion that a ratchet would have been handy for a small job. Never been one to impose on people to do stuff for us unless we are paying them.
Whilst JEEP might not be similarly affected, changing either of my Disco 4's batteries, starter or stop/start, then requires the car's "brain" to be told about them.
The main starter battery could be done through a special routine using one of the front window winders, the AA man thankfully knew the details.
The stop/start battery coding I had to take to my friendly indy who did that using his plug in digital tool.
Changing modern car batteries can be more involved than a physical swap out.
Our Golf Mk 7 fortunately self codes after a short drive.
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Not sure why you bothered to post or it against forum rules to ask for advice or help in the chit chat sub forum?Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill
I was referring to the multitude of posts with all sorts of ideas for (to my mind) what is a very simple matter. I wouldn't dream of asking what a particular nut or bolt size was as they can vary from vehicle to vehicle, I would get a vernier guage, callipers or similar and get a definitive, and quick answer rather than post a question.
It also took many posts before you mentioned a problem with your hands and/or arthritis, that information might have been worthwhile to include from the outset., it might have altered people's responses.
Each to his own I suppose.
It also took many posts before you mentioned a problem with your hands and/or arthritis, that information might have been worthwhile to include from the outset., it might have altered people's responses.
Each to his own I suppose.
Apologies as your post came across as if you were having a go at me, but now I understand your very valid point about meaningless posts.
My original question was about the correct tools to use and from then it spiraled into competence about doing the job. At that point there was no need to mentioned my arthritis, but the spanner tool suggested may not have been suitable hence the remark about my arthritis. The ratchet being thicker allows me to grip it to an extent plus could be useful for other applications around the house.
However I have found a work around using my current socket set to access the retainer nut and no need to a ratchet.
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