Removal and re-fitting Starter Motor

[climberjim]

Hi Folks,

I am removing my starter motor and I've put my van up on axle stands and I've looked at the starter and not gone any further. I have asked for help before and was really pleased that i did so. Here is the question.

Are there any things which you all have learnt when changing your starter motors which might help me sort mine more smoothly? i.e. specialist tools, problem resolved etc.

Hope someone has some ideas
Cheers Jim

[ninja.turtle007]

Remove the back wheel.

[72BUG]

I'm not sure if they're all the same but on the 2ltr airooled there are 2 bolts. The bottom one is straight forward and can easily be undone from underrneath. The top one goes straight through the bulkhead into the engine bay and is held in place with a nut. To get at it you may need to remove the air filter housing.

[jamesc76]

both are m10 bolts on later vans bottom is a 17mm socket and top is an allen key (cant remember the size!) Before you touch anything tho disconnect the battery!!!!!!! once you have all the leads off clean them up well with sand paper, then once refitted smear Vaseline all over the terminals this will stop them "furring" up. Also whilst under there check the condition of the earth braid on the front gearbox mount, if looks dirty take that off and clean/ grease it up to!

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Clean up the threads on your starter bolts with either a 10mm die, or fine grinding paste (clean off with thinners after).

Use new nuts, not nylocks

This will make it sooo much easier to spin the nuts on.

Cordialement,

[fullsunian]

And don't forget to have a look at the bush in the bellhousing when you have the starter motor out....these are often worn and course the starter to turn slow..

[climberjim]

Thats great folks thanks for all the replys, I'm writing them all down and going for it tomorrow hoping that it will be straight forward, but not expect it to be.

Will get back to you with how it went and of any probs I faced.

Cheers Jim

[tinman]

Hello,

Clean up the threads on your starter bolts with either a 10mm die, or fine grinding paste (clean off with thinners after).

Use new nuts, not nylocks

This will make it sooo much easier to spin the nuts on.

Cordialement,

Why not nylocks?

[Oldiebut goodie]

"Use new nuts, not nylocks
This will make it sooo much easier to spin the nuts on."

[tinman]

Oh yea.

[climberjim]

Got straight to it this morning at ten sharp, first thing was to jack her up even higher to the top setting on my axle stands found a halogen light and shone it in through the wheel arch. I photographed the cables so as to remind myself of the order, I always do this and it often helps my aging brain remember. I disconnected the battery then removed all of the cables. Then on to the two main bolts which were alot easier than I made them look The bottom one came off easily, it was the top/back one which foiled me for a little time. Only after pushing my head up beside the gearbox (the closest I've been to caving when not underground ) I was to find the butt end of a bolt and not the nut, I traced it through the bulkhead to a nut which was easy to remove when the air filter was out the way.
Once the bolt was removed the starter came off straight away. Then came the next problem, first finding and seeing the bush where the starter rod fits. I used a mirror and the bright halogen light to see it, then I tried to remove it with a screwdriver and failed (would love to know how folks have removed the bush) then I fitted it all back together with no dramas, and she started I also fitted a heavy duty battery and all together she now starts like she never has (amazing)

Thanks again to all who have helped.

Jim