The bolt threads are stripped on my auto battery. How do I repair so the terminal bolt will stay tight?

if the threads on bolt are worn, take it auto store and match it and replace it, or take to home depot match and replace it.

1. Use a penetrating oil: Apply a penetrating oil like PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench or WD-40 to the bolt and let it sit for a few hours. The oil can help to loosen the corrosion and rust that is likely causing the bolt to be stuck.
2. Use a different wrench or socket: If the wrench or socket you are using is slipping on the bolt head, try using a different size wrench or socket that fits more securely.
3. Use a bolt extractor: A bolt extractor is a special tool that can be used to remove stripped bolts. It works by gripping the bolt from the inside and turning it counterclockwise. You can find bolt extractors at most auto parts stores.
4. Use pliers or vice grips: If the bolt head is completely stripped, you can try using pliers or vice grips to grab onto the bolt head and turn it counterclockwise. Be careful not to damage the battery terminal while doing this.
5. Heat the bolt: If the bolt is rusted or corroded, heating it up with a propane torch or a heat gun can help to loosen it. Be careful not to overheat the battery terminal or the surrounding area.

try replacing with a nut and bolt, also autozone has a battery cable with terminal attached, easy to install

Hi Anonymous, The links below are YouTube videos showing how to repair threads, Also there's videos down the right side of the link that may help as well....................CHEERS..
Repairing Stripped out Sparkplug Threads

Rethreading Blown Spark Plug Hole Yourself

If only the terminal ends are bad, then replacements are availble at most autopart and some dept. stores. You just cut the old end off and strip a little bit of isulation off the cable then bolt the new one on. very easy. There are also splice repair cables that replace a bad section, they come in different lenths. To replace the entire cables, it's a very difficult as they are routed through very tight spots and have clamps & stays that are bolted in places.

I can try to help, but it depends on the type of terminal/connector. If it's a "post type" terminal, where the lead "post" sticks out on the top or side of the battery and the connector (with the wire) is a round hole with a tightening bolt/nut through the side, try loosening the bolt further and lightly tapping the connector onto the terminal. If it is a screw in type terminal, where the terminal is the round hole on the battery, and the connector is a screw, there may be some dirt, corrosion, etc. inside the hole that will need to be cleaned out. Also, the threads of the terminal may have been stripped out if you accidentally cross-threaded the screw or tightened it too much, which is VERY easy to do with lead connections. Lead is very soft and strips out easily. Hope this helps.

Either or are possible. This should be done professionally but if u want to check the threads, Get the exact bolt size including thread size (specs should be on new part, get from OEM) Try hand threading it into the crank (GENTLY) use a ratchet to feel for a stripped thread. You can do the same with a tap from a tap & die set. If is well, use threadlock on the new hardware threads. DONT FORCE IT, IF IT'S NOT STRIPPED TOURQUE TO SPEC, IF IT'S STRIPPED IT'S STRIPPED. Good luck

they make heily coils to either down one size or up one size .make sure you put red lock tight on heily coil when you instal in the striped hole.make sure holes are CLEAN.

Make sure the battery terminals are tight. These cars have a double stacked positive side terminal that, to get tight enough, usually means stripping the threads on the battery. After fighting with this connection for more than a year, I finally put an old fashioned post adapter on the positive threaded side terminal, then put another 'marine' adapter on the post. After stripping the rubber insulation off the two positive wire's terminals, they'll stack up on the marine post and wing nut them good and tight.

try the metric size bolt may ba a hair bigger and thread in.