P500 Caution on P500 battery cover bolts

[Russ989]

View attachment 89618 Avoid over tightening battery box cover. Thinking the Dealer over tightened mine. Top nut keeper broke loose and only spun when backing out, and could not remove. Had to remove entire battery box and fender to get behind it. Murphy's law! Modified cover bolts with new bolt and wing-nut.

I had the same problem on my 17 p5. I never was a fan of the battery box placement or design.

 

[Admin]

 

[trigger]

Guess I got lucky, I've taken mine off and on several times and never experienced this problem. One factor may be that I've always done it manually, bolts are a feel thing and especially in plastic. Not everything requires a power tool or needs to be apprentice tight.

 

[Heloron]

Guess I got lucky, I've taken mine off and on several times and never experienced this problem. One factor may be that I've always done it manually, bolts are a feel thing and especially in plastic. Not everything requires a power tool or needs to be apprentice tight.

For me, I drilled a small hole into the plastic and the nut retaining plate and put a small screw in it to keep it from turning. Works great, don't have to worry about an over tight issue.

 

[Caper]

Regular problem for many. I guess I got lucky because I've not had any trouble with mine.

Me either. Yet . Haha
Caper

 

[boatman22]

My granddaughter left the key on and the battery drained. When removing the cover bottom bolt came out but the top one was spinning like others have stated. I used this tool(radiator hose removal tool) to hold the back side and got the bolt out. Hop it helps others.

 

[boatman22]

I pushed to old nut out and replaced it with a speed nut and Phillips bolt.

 

[Mudder]

The only way Honda engineers could have done worst was to use a crappy push pin. Speednut by @boatman22 is a good idea.

 

[Caper]

The only way Honda engineers could have done worst was to use a crappy push pin. Speednut by @boatman22 is a good idea.

I was wondering if one of those inserts that you put in like a rivet.
It has a gun like a rivet gun and you drill the hole put it in and squish it in place. They work good. Probably better than what’s there.

Caper

 

[happyfred]

I used J B Weld putty epoxy. I rolled up a clod a pressed it in and around the nut in back. After it hardened it prevent the insert from spinning.

 

[100Acre]

I haven’t had the cover on mine for some time. It really does little in the way of protection except for sticks, all I get is lots of sand dust or mud, wether it’s on or off. My nut thing broke off too and I just never put the cover back on. Total PITA!

 

[Springypond]

View attachment 89618 Avoid over tightening battery box cover. Thinking the Dealer over tightened mine. Top nut keeper broke loose and only spun when backing out, and could not remove. Had to remove entire battery box and fender to get behind it. Murphy's law! Modified cover bolts with new bolt and wing-nut.

Thanks for the info! Just had the same issue on my new 2017 p 500- top bolt nut just spinning . I bent the cover up over the tire , held it in place , did the work , and folded it back down. Will do a permanent fix when it’s not 95 with 100 per cent humidity!

 

[harleyjohn45]

I'm trying to get to the battery on my 15 model. I found a manual for it, but the battery box location looks nothing like the manual says. I still don't know exactly which part is the battery cover, it looks like there is 3 ways to get in there. The manual says the cover is under the rear fender on the right side and 2 bolts hold it on. I've yet to find the two bolts.

 

[harleyjohn45]

I found the battery. Spingypond mentioned he put the cover over the tire, I was looking closer to the gas tank. I don't think my cover was ever removed. The bolts were very tight so I put a drop of Kroil on each one and used an impact screw driver and the came out. I put never seize on the screws and hand tightened them. I'm just trying to learn where everything is.

 

[Caper]

I found the battery. Spingypond mentioned he put the cover over the tire, I was looking closer to the gas tank. I don't think my cover was ever removed. The bolts were very tight so I put a drop of Kroil on each one and used an impact screw driver and the came out. I put never seize on the screws and hand tightened them. I'm just trying to learn where everything is.

It’s a stupid spot for the battery. They could have put it under the drivers seat.
We’ll have to live with it.
Mine is a 15 too. I bought it in 14.
Caper

 

[trigger]

They could have put it under the drivers seat.

That's where the second one goes.

 

[happyfred]

That's where the second one goes.

Not mine!

 

[Mudder]

Not mine!
View attachment 135202

Looks good, especially with wire slack to move to passenger side, for future power steering addition. A wise man said It Never Ends. LOL

 

[JCart]

Dropbox - UTV Oddesey 925C.pdf - Simplify your life
330 CCA
900 Hot Cranking amps
50 plus minutes of reserve.
Just fits in ammo can that I installed on an aluminum plate, with room for P steering when the time comes....
If I did it again would probably put an Oddesey or Optima yellow top under the D seat and save under hood for easy access storage.
Cheers.

 

[trigger]

Not mine!
View attachment 135202

Yeah that's where the PS goes!

 

[Slayer]

Well.....once again this forum has proven to be invaluable. Putting a winch on my new 2018, trying to get to battery to make connections,sure enough both screws were ridiculously tight and the top one stripped out....tried the 1/16 drill bit method and the bit sheared off and I left some knuckle meat on the frame...lol....went up to the next larger bit and it worked like a charm. Thanks for the post!