Starter removal tips?

[xain]

Hi All,
I've suffered the hot jammed starter once too often now, and it takes longer to unjam. I'm almost certain it's the solenoid sticking as this is staying very hot, and it doesn't seem to engage the pinion, so I can't use this to waggle the started by rocking the car.

Anyway, I resolved to pull the starter out and was stunned to find how inaccessible the top bolt was. Also it's a hex-only job. Now I did manage to find something I thought would work (and impact driver bit) but my driver bit set doesn't include the plain hex bit, and I just knackered one of the others trying to make it work.

I can't believe that the pros have to go to the lengths I did. I can only reach it from underneath... where I can't see it, and I can't get much leverage because there isn't room between the chassis and the engine for the socket driver.

Surely they don't have to remove the exhaust manifold???

For the record I have a 97 500.

I know some of you guys have managed this... care to share any tips?

Cheers
Xain

[raceboy]

I've managed it a few times using a hex drive held in a socket with a long extension bar and a good quality socket handle with very little play in it

[david beer]

I tried and gave up, took it to a local guy who charged £25 to remove and refit a new one. Oh and dont forget to get a starter shield to prevent it happening again.
Edit to say: maybe worth while trying a shield first.

>> Edited by david beer on Monday 9th December 17:20

[Ballistic Banana]

raceboy said: I've managed it a few times using a hex drive held in a socket with a long extension bar and a good quality socket handle with very little play in it

Done it this aswell, with someone guiding you in from above the car.
You still dont have much room but i gave it a quick sharpe yank and it came loose and was able to undo it easily.
Wanted to change the Bolts to normal ones but was in a bit off a rush so put old ones back but would be worth while changing if you have time.

BB

[shpub]

Tis in the bible but clean out the allen key recess and disconnect the battery.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[ssc1]

got mine out useing a long extension and a universal joint with the hex bit on the end ,if you use a decent bit not a cheap one you will be able to exert quite a bit of force onto the bolt but dont jerk it cos it could damage the hex recess in the bolt ,the starter dont jam, its the windings in the soleniod that fail due to the high heat from the manifold. i wrapped my manifolds and it does keep the heat down..

[xain]

> Tis in the bible...

... tis, in true Haynes style.
"Remove the bolts holding on the starter" :-)

"Refitting is reverse proceedure"

It's getting at the thing which is proving the tricky part.

Thanks
Jon