i went to remove/replace my battery in the hatch of my 2003 Cooper S & snapped the battery bracket hold down (long) bolt while the old battery is still in the kar
with the old battery still installed i can't seem to get in there with vice grips to remove the broken hold down bracket bolt to free up the battery for removal
anybody got any ideas for me to remove my battery without really mucking things up?

 

Pics might help to give us an idea of the depth of the broken shaft. (maybe a measurement as well?)

 

A picture would help.

Pending that:
If the other (closer to the car's front) bolt comes off, bend back and/or turn the bracket enough to clear the battery. Then bend it back / replace it once you get the rusted / seized bolt sorted (which itself may need to be cut loose from the bottom). Worst case cut the bracket and replace it with a new or good used one:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/search/?q=61216917738
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/61216917738/
https://www.outmotoring.com/_search....38&categoryid=

 

I have a good used one if needed. If bending doesn't work, take a saw to it.

 

megaDan, can't take to it, the battery is in the way ....that's the issue, i can't get in that little space

Daftlad, yup, looks like that's way i have to go, i'll just have to replace the long bolt & lock down tab if everything goes smooth (when does it ever) but that's the plan ........maybe even a screwdriver to help bend the lock down tab

sorry about no picture i'll take one in the tomorrow when i beat that battery out of me kar .....thanks for your suggestions/ideas

 

I had this happens to me too. I used to get a lot of water in my battery box due to leaks. My long bolt snapped below the clamp, fortunately, so the bracket wasn’t stuck.

Once everything was out, I ground the bolt stub flush, drilled a hole, and re-tapped threads in the hole with a tap on an extension.

 

looks like that's where i'm at now .....i can salvage the hold down clamp, but i will need a new long bolt (replacement) ....and will also need to drill out the old broken bolt & then tap

WhoHasGotTheBlueS
i was wondering if you went back to the stock long bolt?
& if not what did you use as a replacement/solution?

 

Yes, I stuck with stock, p/n 61-21-7-577-620. (Other vendors also have this screw but do not list the number as having a MINI application). I applied anti-seize paste to the threads at the time of installation, for good measure.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=61_1591

 

borrowing my buddy's tap set tomorrow & plan to drill it out at that time, but i haven't picked up a new long bolt yet ....................so do you remember the thread size from when you tapped it? ............8mm ?

thank you everybody for your input

 

I don't remember, sorry. I don't know why they don't list the thread size in the part description...

 

it's 6mm ...........i had enough threads on the snapped bolt to check ...........it's now drilled & tapped & i'm ordering new bolt now
..........thanks again guys for all your input

 

WhoHasGotTheBlueS, just curious where was the water leaking in from? (i know i went a little off topic, but i think water is getting in back there for me as well & i might as well address the issue since my kar is living outside now)

 

Geez, I had several leaks. I replaced the third brake light and the hatch handle gasket. Seems like there's another, which I am not recalling right now...