What is this Torx bolt from? Found in weird place. (1 Viewer)

[dealmaker]

Can anyone tell me where this Torx bolt may have come from? I happened to find it, size T30, underneath the plastic cap of the negative terminal connector on my battery a couple of days ago. I recreated how I found it in the last photo, below.

I installed the battery myself in 2020. Since then, the only work that was completed to the LX that I could see anyone having to access the battery posts for was: new front AHC "shocks" (by mechanic few yrs ago), new alternator (by me and neighbor couple yrs ago), new starter (by mechanic, very recently).

Also, I had to jump or charge the battery a few times since installing it due to very little driving (WFH/pandemic) but I'm confident I would've noticed it while doing that, if it was there.

I'm OCD and would never stick a little bolt, or anything else, right there. So...WTH?? No way it could've just kicked up off the road to land there like that. Does it look like a part that would be involved with alternator or more likely starter replacement? I did a 2,000 mile road trip in it last month and it ran flawlessly so I'm hoping that's a good sign.

BTW neighbor told me that some people will screw a bolt in that location if there's a poor connection between terminal clamp and post, incorrectly assuming that'll improve the issue. I'm having a hard time thinking these paid mechanics would do something like that, especially without telling me there was an issue, but who knows. Haven't been extrememly impressed by any mechanics in my part of los angeles. Just want to make sure it wasn't a Jesus bolt holding down the flux capacitor.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

A torx bolt is definitely not a factory toyota part, it is for most European vehicles like a Porsche. I know because my tools for my Lexus vehicles and Cayenne is carefully segregated lol. Did you recently brought your LX to a shop that services European cars? If so then that is probably the answer.

 

[GTV]

A torx bolt is definitely not a factory toyota part, it is for most European vehicles like a Porsche.

I’m pretty sure the receiver bolts on a 03-05 LX are torx, that’s the only exception I can think of.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

I’m pretty sure the receiver bolts on a 03-05 LX are torx, that’s the only exception I can think of.

I actually thought of that, but I owned a 2005 LC 1HDFTE VX with AHC in the past. And although its LX compared to an LC, both are made in Japan off the same factory and assembly line, and on my 05LC which is all factory from frame to bolt & nut (this was my non-negotiable aside from accident and rust-free before purchasing it from an importer), the battery terminal securing bolt and nut is the reg 10/11mm hex same as my 06LX. Could this be something dealer-modified maybe?

 

[dealmaker]

A torx bolt is definitely not a factory toyota part, it is for most European vehicles like a Porsche. I know because my tools for my Lexus vehicles and Cayenne is carefully segregated lol. Did you recently brought your LX to a shop that services European cars? If so then that is probably the answer.

I know my 4Runners have Torx bolts holding in the door lock actutors as I've replace a few of those. Also had to loosen a couple of torx bolts when I replaced a clock spring in my '04 4Runner. Don't see any anywhere under the hood of my LX, but also can't see the starter lol. I'm feeling more and more like the guys that did the starter replacement stuck it there for whatever lame reason.

 

[Malleus]

The roof rack is also held on with Torx fasteners. As are the door panels, etc. They're all over the truck. They do not belong on the battery, though.

 

[excessive]

that ain't a Toyota bolt. its likely someone used it as a hack way of getting a better clamp on the batt. terminal

 

[Eyedaho]

Does the battery clamp feel loose now that you removed the screw? If so then it was probably stuck in there when they reconnected the cable during the starter replacement.

 

[dealmaker]

Does the battery clamp feel loose now that you removed the screw? If so then it was probably stuck in there when they reconnected the cable during the starter replacement.

Didn't check before I removed the neg terminal to reset ECUs but never had a problem with it before. Not loose after I put the terminal back the proper way and tightened it up with proper tools. Ergo, I'd think a mechanic being paid to complete a repair would also do it the "right" way and not just wedge a rando bolt in there becasue he can't find the 10mm to tighten the terminal back up. Whatever...I get it...people are busy or moving too fast or whatever and mistakes are made or halfassery quick-fixes are fashioned up....why I hate relying on paid mechanics to do things "right".