Cannot Remove Battery From Mk 1 Focus 1.6
 

The battery was flat on my Focus 1.6 Zetec and I wanted to remove it to try to charge it. However when I tried to remove the bolt that goes through the retaining strap with a 13mm socket it is just spinning. Looking at underneath the tray the bottom of the bolt is also turning so it is not snapped. It looks like whatever it screws into in the black plastic tray has snapped or something and is not unscrewing from it. I also have a Focus 2003 TDCI that has the same setup but the bolt came out no problem and was not just spinning. I managed to charge the battery by running an extension lead to the car but I guess that the battery has probably had it. It went flat after not using the car for 9 days.

Just wondered if anybody else had experience of this and could suggest a fix please?

Yes that happened to me a few years ago. Tried all sorts to get it out. Just had to end up cutting the strap to get the battery out, then a good strong bit of cord to secure the new battery or get the battery box out and replace / drill out and repair.

Yep as above, need to cut the strap and then replace battery tray to fix it properly.

Quite common.

Ok thanks for the replies it's very useful I will try and source a used battery tray and if that is not available I will try and make my own retaining advice as I do not want to buy new from a main stealer.

I can supply full upper and lower battery tray. PM me

if you remove air filter box and look carefully you'll see a little black plastic stud poking thru where your battery strap ends push it down and in that will release the strap take battery out remove battery tray then drill out offending bolt !

i too had the same problem,so i cut strap went to breakers & got strap & tray to fit new battery. yunii