[ggolamco]

Hi everyone,

So I decided to finally install my Hawker Lightweight battery and I ran into a little snag. All of the DIYs (such as this one: http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...hlight=battery) indicate that all that is needed is something to lift the battery up in order to get it high enough for the stock battery clamp to be used. The problem is, I don't seem to have the stock battery clamp

The pics in the thread above show a brass-looking overhead clamp that comes down from above. I don't have that. Instead, I have a long metal screw with a clamp on the bottom end that clamps down onto a lip at the bottom of the battery.

I have attached some photos to illustrate. The long screw can be seen on the right hand side of the battery and I also showed a close up of the clamp.

Anyway, with this setup, it does not seem possible to install the Hawker battery. Has anyone else encountered this? Am I the only one with this type of bettery clamp? Is there a way I can get the other (top clamping type)? Any other advice for how I might do this install?

Any and all advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[BattleWagon]

Can you could get your hands on a later model year battery tray by ordering one from a dealer, I bet its a simple one for one swap.

[Red330I]

I have no idea how you could secure it with that screw.

My only recommendation would be to go to the dealer and buy the clamp. It looks like it should fit.

Another tip, use a hockey puck in between the battery and the clamp to bridge the gap.

[ggolamco]

Originally Posted by BattleWagon

Can you could get your hands on a later model year battery tray by ordering one from a dealer, I bet its a simple one for one swap.

I am not sure, but it does not look like simply replacing the tray will work. In the pics in the DIY, it looks like the clamp attaches into the car in a couple different places - both of which are not part of the tray. I'll check with the dealer tomorrow, but if anyone else has ideas, I'd love to hear them.

Is there a readily available battery box that will work in our cars and will fit the Hawker? If not, I guess I'll need to look into a custom box.

Thanks.

[SC5-Charles]

bimmerhaus carries a holder for the battery

[ggolamco]

Originally Posted by SC5-Charles

bimmerhaus carries a holder for the battery

Thanks for the tip, but is that an online store? I tried Bimmerhaus.com but it did not look like they sold anything besides wheels and tires.

[BattleWagon]

Originally Posted by ggolamco

I am not sure, but it does not look like simply replacing the tray will work. In the pics in the DIY, it looks like the clamp attaches into the car in a couple different places - both of which are not part of the tray. I'll check with the dealer tomorrow, but if anyone else has ideas, I'd love to hear them.

Is there a readily available battery box that will work in our cars and will fit the Hawker? If not, I guess I'll need to look into a custom box.

Thanks.

Actually, the tray has the rear tower piece (towards the quarter panel) built into it that one end of the brace attaches to and the 2 square holes dead center of the battery opposite of the tower piece, which is on the cars metalwork in the trunk, is where the other end of the brace attaches.

I have done this mod so I am 100% positive that the tray will have the clamp assembly integrated with it. If you compare your pic with the pics from Red's DIY, you will see what I mean about the 2 holes on the trunk metal work.

[ggolamco]

Thanks Battle!

I'll call the dealer today and see if I can get that part.

Originally Posted by BattleWagon

Actually, the tray has the rear tower piece (towards the quarter panel) built into it that one end of the brace attaches to and the 2 square holes dead center of the battery opposite of the tower piece, which is on the cars metalwork in the trunk, is where the other end of the brace attaches.

I have done this mod so I am 100% positive that the tray will have the clamp assembly integrated with it. If you compare your pic with the pics from Red's DIY, you will see what I mean about the 2 holes on the trunk metal work.

[BattleWagon]

Originally Posted by ggolamco

Thanks Battle!

I'll call the dealer today and see if I can get that part.

Read this too:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=78986