How to Replace Battery Cables in a Ford F-Series

Take a look at your battery cables when you change your oil as part of your routine inspection to avoid trouble starting your Ford F-Series truck. If the cables are corroded or the teeth are touching, then you should replace the cables. Turn off the truck and set the emergency brake and with a few simple steps, you can easily replace them.

Instructions

1

Find the top-post battery just inside the passenger side panel of your Ford F-Series truck. It's a pretty tight fit, so wear gloves to protect your hands from scrapes and stray battery acid.

2

Loosen the bolt on the black negative battery cable with a box wrench or cable clamp pliers. Carefully wriggle the cable end off the post. Repeat the process on the red positive cable. Take off both cables from the battery, even if you're replacing only one of them.

3

Follow the negative cable to where it's grounded near the wheel well on the F-Series. Remove the end of the cable with the wrench. Track the positive cable to its connection on the passenger side of the engine and remove it with the wrench.

4

Attach the new positive cable first, reversing the process in Step 3. Reattach the negative cable last and start the truck to make sure that the F-Series connections are working properly.