Battery box cover fasteners

[ORRadtech]

Changed the battery yesterday and, like many others, I lost one in the engine compartment. I was able to retrieve it but was wondering if anyone has come up with a mod to make them more permanent? Or should I just buy a few extras and not worry about it?

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[Dadillac]

I think the clips are made the way they are so that if you need to disconnect the battery in an emergency situation you can just grip and rip the cover and it will come off easily. No need to fight "proper fitting" clips.This seems to be the only logical reason that those size clips were chosen

Don

 

[Elp_jc]

I'm waiting for these from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BHD4QJ3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I still have the originals, but one had a broken leg since new (forced down without the legs clearing the hole), so want to replace it. And have a few spares. And yes, you need to be able to remove the battery box without tools in an emergency, so decided to keep the stock fasteners.

 

[ORRadtech]

That's a pretty good find. May just go ahead and order them
And I don't want to have to use tools to remove it but I was thinking about a threaded insert of some kind and wing bolts.
Eh, I'm probably over thinking this...

 

[frank s]

There was a time when a few noted the holes in the covers were almost too large for the fastener base, and suggested using thin washers. I did that and in my case, it tightened the fasteners a little. still unscrewed easily but less slack.

My solution for the (inevitable escaped and lost) fastener was to use a tin box, like an Altoids can with attached lid, to hold spares. A small super-strong magnet inside the box secured it to a flat space inside the engine compartment, easily reachable and detachable if need be. I neglected to retrive the box and spares when I traded the car, but I have all the components to add another, when circumstances permit.

 

[plc268]

You really don't need those fasteners. My battery cover hasn't had any fasteners holding it down for at least 3 years now. It's not going anywhere.

 

[ORRadtech]

That's exactly what I had envisioned.

 

[RazzaRossa]

How about some Velcro strips. Maybe not the hook/loop stuff, but the tiny molded post type. If I start loosing fasteners, I'm going this route.

 

[Elp_jc]

I can confirm the Amazon fasteners I linked on post #3 worked perfectly; just got them. In fact, they're actually better than the stock ones. All fit tight, except the first one, closest to the right fender. The thickness is less there, for some reason, so the fastener is a little loose. It doesn't come off, but it's not tight like the others, Since it's under the hood, no rattling issues. But if I can find a black nylon washer one of these days, I'd like to put one underneath, so it's tight, like the others . Hope this helps.

 

[GT450]

I can confirm the Amazon fasteners I linked on post #3 worked perfectly; just got them. In fact, they're actually better than the stock ones. All fit tight, except the first one, closest to the right fender. The thickness is less there, for some reason, so the fastener is a little loose. It doesn't come off, but it's not tight like the others, Since it's under the hood, no rattling issues. But if I can find a black nylon washer one of these days, I'd like to put one underneath, so it's tight, like the others . Hope this helps.

I just used some Christmas tree type trim clips, simply just push in and pull out and they look like they should be there. Cheap as chips at most auto stores and way less fiddly than the original clips which I just put away for now.

 

[Cobra Jet]

I'm waiting for these from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BHD4QJ3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I still have the originals, but one had a broken leg since new (forced down without the legs clearing the hole), so want to replace it. And have a few spares. And yes, you need to be able to remove the battery box without tools in an emergency, so decided to keep the stock fasteners.

I bought the same off eBay for $5 (still waiting for arrival, coming from overseas) - take your pick of quantity & price:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nk...le+Clips+Fit+For+Ford+Acc&_trksid=m5467.l1311

 

[Cobrakit]

Ford retail $2.50 a piece for these.

 

[Torched10]

Changed the battery yesterday and, like many others, I lost one in the engine compartment. I was able to retrieve it but was wondering if anyone has come up with a mod to make them more permanent? Or should I just buy a few extras and not worry about it?

Got mine from Hong Kong off eBay.10 for 6.50 plus 2 for shipping.so like 80c each.they work fine

 

[Elp_jc]

I bought the same off eBay for $5 (still waiting for arrival, coming from overseas)

I like Rexsa because it's an actual OEM parts supplier. They're probably made in China too, but at least there's a chance they use the same materials as OEM. They look absolutely identical to the original ones, except they don't have the miniature 'Ford' logo stamped on them. Cheaper plastics might degrade quicker over time with the engine heat, but who knows.

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