Why won't the starter come off?!

[hotstang_46]

i removed one upper and lower bolt off the starter and it won't budge....It feels like it's still attached somehow......My haynes manual says 2 bolts...I even tried wedging a long screw driver in there with light pressure....moves a tiny bit but feels like it's being held on. B4 i break something figured I'd ask

 

[RGurleyJr]

There's a third bolt up there, and it's no fun getting it out.

 

[SilverBullet00]

There are 3 bolts, the third is on top of the starter. You cant see it, but you can feed a socket w/ plenty of extensions through the front of the car to access it. Removing it is the easy part, reinstalling it is near impossible. I gave up and ran the two bolts only... didnt have any problems..

 

[SaleenGT2001]

take 3 out and install only 2!

it is a PITA!

 

[Scorcher2005]

lol, thats some funny ****!

 

[98GTfromGA]

lol..there is a third bolt...you probably got to the two easiest ones, that third one is "FUN"....to say the least

 

[four six]

That third bolt is a HUGE pita

 

[Mike97gt]

I hope someday to find the engineers that thought that third bolt facing the front of the car was a good idea.. I am saving all the third bolts I have removed and I am going to insert them someplace where they don't like it.

 

[COramprat]

I have one I can send you Mike...

Feeding extensions between the engine and the K-member and having a second person guide it onto the bolt is the way to go.

That damn bolt was 3/4 of my clutch install time.

 

[bdcardinal]

ya as was said before, theres that third bolt. its a hell of a lot easier to take out if you have a k-member though. also i always put the 3rd one back in.

 

[Cata893]

I have to agree with all you guys, there's the third bolt on the top! lol

 

[jivepepper]

Isn't there a third bolt on top?

 

[screamin gt]

Isn't there a third bolt on top?

now that I think about it... I think there is

I didn't get it from the front of the car though, I got it off from under the car, but I think I had the motor jacked up a little since it was coming out anyway.

and nope that little fuggers not going back in, weight savings....

 

[showstopper2]

no need to ever reinstall the 3rd bolt.. the older cars only had 2 holding the starter in and thats all you need now too.

 

[Shiroelex]

View attachment 378668

3 bolts!

 

[DTNODYA]

Read this, it may help some:

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=683094&highlight=starter+removal

 

[gtstangau]

Yeah that is a horrible design, iv'e seen people end up breaking the starter off before they realize there is a third bolt.

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

Yeah that was a joy finding that lil guy when taking off my tranny. W/ an auto there's even less room, i used 3 1/2 extensions and a universal swivel and a low profile socket through the firewall/engine bay through or just to the left of the front A-arm.
Im happy to say that we got the 3rd bolt back on too when putting the new tranny back in. Doing a whole tranny removal rebuild and re-install, and the only time my GF's dad complained while helping was when we were putting the 3rd one back in "Chris, I'm not having fun anymore"
Priceless

 

[Mike97gt]

Why put it back in.. it's not needed

 

[thomas91169]

im with the others. if it takes more than 5 minutes to put the bolt back on, and there is adequate support from the other bolts, its not needed, unless its a bolt that is required to maintain adequate holding or sealing ability (IE header bolts, valve cover bolts, etc)