Over the weekend I was cleaning and polishing the battery tray.There is 2 bolts on the bottom and when removed I heard something let go.I removed enough screws on the bottom panel to get a look (it's a ball shped black plastic piece held in place by the 2 bolts on top of the battery tray)....anyone know what this is and what function it performs?

Also, does anyone have a pic of the battery hold down mechanism, my battery just sits on top of tray and I would like to get the proper hold down unit (part #, etc.).

 

Sound like the vac ball on a Camaro (driver's side).

Battery hold down, again for a Camaro:

http://www.moderndaymuscle.com/inc/sdetail/112

JamesC

 

on mine one end fits into the slot on the lower side of the batters to hold it in place. does your batters have an indention at the side almost at the very bottom? if it does then the wedge/slot portion of the hold down fits over that and is there to stop any movement at all of the battery.
it might help to see what piece you are talking about as gm did not appear to do everything the same way with the same car. even the wiring color codes change from car to car. not model to model but from one car on the line to another car on the line.
but i went and looked and my piece has one bolt, is wedged shapen and fits into the slot at the bottom of the battery for the hold down. i think my 91 had the two *****, or it may have been my 87, now i cant remember.
hope that helps.

 

sounds like the holy "orb of power" to me lol