Starter motor install - lessons

[glenhendry]

I did my starter motor replacement last night. I sourced a replacement unit from Phil @ Jag & Prestige spares in Melb and they overnighted it for me. The whole job took 1.5 hours and no problems. Minimal tools, but you do need some socket extensions of different sizes to get at the top bolt from in front of the engine mount. You need a 13mm spanner for the starter's battery feed, 8mm allen head for the starter bolts. I did take out my drivers inner wheel trim, but most access was laying under the car, not above the wheel.

Both bolts came off without too much trouble, but its best to spray some penetrating spray on the day before and also the hour before. The trick to this job is that the upper bolt is mostly done by feel, because its hard to see, but it is totally doable.

The total length of socket extension bars needed for the bottom bolt: 18cm
The total length of socket extension bars needed for the top bolt: 37cm
(See pics; one from above drivers wheel, one from underneath with starter removed)

[Keithy P38]

Exactly how mine was done!

Nice write up mate! I'm sure it'll help someone out!

Cheers
Keithy

[PeterH]

Nice work glenhendry!
I managed to do mine without removing the inner guard, but it would definitely be easier with that out of the way.
I was able to squeeze my hand up to the top bolt by flexing the inner guard and getting my hand up to the right spot, but you are right about doing it by feel, very hard to see anything.
I had to undo the bolts and lower mine down before undoing the electrical connections, to hard to take those off in situ.
Did you put a new one in, or a reco?