Procedure wanted for opening up battery cable terminals

Anyone have a good procedure/technique for opening up battery cable terminals that are slightly too tight to slide over post?

Trying to avoid tearing up the terminal or breaking off an ear.

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

.

Battery Terminal Pliers

Ive used a good pair of snap ring pliers on multiple occasions

I've always used a large diameter punch (much like a ring sizer) slide terminal onto taper and then tap, tap, tap with a rubber mallet the punch into the terminal. Doing so will set the taper to fit on the post properly.
Do a little at a time to get the right diameter.

Battery terminal plier jaws are tapered to match the post profile.

Original battery in nice shape cables are hard to find, reproduction are not OE correct, but not cheap either. The terminal pliers can be used gentle to as not to mar the soft lead end.

I use mine a few times a year, always good to have the right tool for the job.

plus the terminal pliers are cheap.
just don't do like my brother did one time. he squeezed so hard, he broke the terminal at the spot the bolt goes through. he forgot to loosen the bolt enough...........

I've had a pair of them for a long time, work well, last forever
I've also use a wide blade screw driver to pry the ends away from each other when some fool over tighten them

Been a pair of those in my tool box for many, many years!

I've used a pair of craftsman internal snap ring pliers that I bought for tailshaft bearings years ago. Used them for a lot of other things over the years. ~ 20-30.0 on the bay ;)|

Thanks for posting that. I had a pair I misplaced and never could remember who made them. Just bought a pair from eBay. Thanks again.

Flat head screw driver in the slot.
Of course if the clamp is in perfect shape and permanently part of the cable like it's not one of those bolt on replacements the proper tool is better to use.

OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!! i just HATE those bolt on terminal ends !
nothing like asking for trouble using those things.
i have fixed more starting and charging issues over 50+ years stemming from the use of those things because of them getting loose at the cable connection, and "green death" growing into the cable because of them not being sealed to the cable.
did i mention i DON'T LIKE THEM ?

I have used them for all kind of things over the years. Have an internal cup etc. that should, but is to snug to slide out? grab it with these
I also use them across the post opening rather that at the ends to prevent breaking the ears.
nothing wrong with the post pliers, just never needed them

I too hate the bolt on replacement battery lugs