Starter removal question.

[Intalex]

Heya guys,

My throw-out bearing is on its last legs on my 96gt, and we're trying to replace it here. This job is quickly becoming a huge nightmare. Everything is rusted, so we had to saw the exhaust apart just to make room to pull the transmission out. We have everything undone, but now we just need to remove the starter.

How the hell are you supposed to reach the uppermost bolt on the starter? The engine mount bracket is in the way. I've tried removing the plastic fender liner, which doesn't help at all. I've tried going from the top, no go.

Is there any trick to this that I'm just not seeing?

 

[Intalex]

FINALLY got it out. Been at it since 6pm last night. That has to be the hardest job to do on this car. Now I get to pull the transmission out, fun times.

 

[98COBRA281]

DO NOT PUT IT BACK IN!!! just leave it out, mine has been out forever, you will thank yourself next time

 

[02nightmaregt]

FINALLY got it out. Been at it since 6pm last night. That has to be the hardest job to do on this car. Now I get to pull the transmission out, fun times.

So how did you get it out?

 

[Intalex]

DO NOT PUT IT BACK IN!!! just leave it out, mine has been out forever, you will thank yourself next time

I think I'm going to leave the starter off and just push-start my car from now on.

I got it out by using a 3/8 swivel with a perfect length extension, between the exhaust and engine mount bracket. If I tried using an extension that was either 1" too short or long, I couldn't get at it.

Transmission wasn't too hard to get out either, not as heavy as I thought. I got transmission fluid all down my shoulder as we were wiggling it off, and it stinks something fierce, but it's still better than bringing it to the dealership.

 

[BurningRubber]

Hint: Drain the transmission fluid before removal, or it will leak out of the tailshaft all over you...

I guess its a little late for that, lol.

Don't forget to top it off though for what you lost.

 

[SRT Handz]

I have removed mine twice and put it back in, once you figure it out its easy.

Socket, Swivel, extension, another extension and you should have it

 

[flstang65]

i took a stubby wrench with the closed end on the bolt and then draped a small length of chain over the open end of the wrench and pulled down on it to break it loose. and a HUGE +1 on not putting the top bolt back in. i didnt when i changed my clutch and it's fine.

 

[Big Show 96]

Use a long extension with a swivel and go in from the front of the K-member on side of the ac compressor.

 

[Agtronic]

I'm Intalex's brother. Just wanted to point out that it is important to be using a 3/8" setup for the swivels etc ... 'cause the whole time we were trying with 1/2" extensions and swivel, and it was the difference between getting a straight line to the socket and not making it.

Might help out someone searching for this in the future.

Think it needed replacing?

Notice the chopped downpipe :

More nightmares :

 

[98COBRA281]

I think I'm going to leave the starter off and just push-start my car from now on.

i ment the bolt.... douche!!!

 

[96GT281]

i ment the bolt.... douche!!!

didnt you know it so easy to push start a car by yourself? especially if you stall it at a light.

 

[Agtronic]

Hehehe, Intalex knew you meant the bolt, but he was implying that with the trouble we went through to take it off, he wanted to simply leave the whole starter out, as a joke.

On another note, the car is back together, and the starter actually took about 3 minutes to reinstall, including the top bolt. Live and learn!