(Another) Starter Contacts Removal Thread!
- Thread starter CoMarc
- Start date
Finally figured that out, thanks!
Things didn't turn out all that great...that bolt wouldn't even come loose with an impact wrench and is pretty chewed up. Then I realized that I didn't even need to remove that, I could reach the starter bolts with an extension and swivel. I've got the starter opened now, gonna do the contacts here in a bit.
Things didn't turn out all that great...that bolt wouldn't even come loose with an impact wrench and is pretty chewed up. Then I realized that I didn't even need to remove that, I could reach the starter bolts with an extension and swivel. I've got the starter opened now, gonna do the contacts here in a bit.
el_hombre70
New member
Excellent write up! I just did this yesterday. Saved my bacon in a big way. Thanks! :cheers:
PuddleRunner
New member
I'm having trouble getting the black clip connection off the starter. How exactly does the clip work? Any suggestions?
Whoops. Got it! Too easy lol
Whoops. Got it! Too easy lol
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SQ.MD
New member
Discount Car Parts Stuff - Car Accessories & Truck Accessories - Cheap Auto Parts - Car Cover - Floor Mats - Cargo Liner - 1997 Toyota 4Runner Starter Contact Set
this site had the contacts fairly cheap...cheaper than dealership...might give it a try if you guys are attempting this
cheers
this site had the contacts fairly cheap...cheaper than dealership...might give it a try if you guys are attempting this
cheers
starter off! Now where'd that bolt go?
Hey all!
Based on the fantastic thread here I decided to remove my own starter for this contact replacement yesterday (1990 3.0 4Runner). So I loosened the top bolt (thank you 24" rachet extension and u-joint attachment) and was removing the bottom bolt (from the front of the vehicle) and when the starter dropped the starter DROPPED! Wedged itself in nicely and settled in, which made for a PITA extraction...
Here's the problem: I can't find that top mounting bolt now. It never hit the ground, and I haven't felt it resting on anything in the engine bay...
So my question is: what is the worst case scenario for that bolt? Could it have fallen into the transmission under the flywheel by route of the hole created with the starter removed? I didn't want to reach in there because my hands were covered in power steering fluid, etc but with clean hands you think i can reach in there and pull it out? Or where else would it end up?
Thanks in advance! I'm going to clean up and disassemble the starter tomorrow and see what a difference its going to make.
Brian
Hey all!
Based on the fantastic thread here I decided to remove my own starter for this contact replacement yesterday (1990 3.0 4Runner). So I loosened the top bolt (thank you 24" rachet extension and u-joint attachment) and was removing the bottom bolt (from the front of the vehicle) and when the starter dropped the starter DROPPED! Wedged itself in nicely and settled in, which made for a PITA extraction...
Here's the problem: I can't find that top mounting bolt now. It never hit the ground, and I haven't felt it resting on anything in the engine bay...
So my question is: what is the worst case scenario for that bolt? Could it have fallen into the transmission under the flywheel by route of the hole created with the starter removed? I didn't want to reach in there because my hands were covered in power steering fluid, etc but with clean hands you think i can reach in there and pull it out? Or where else would it end up?
Thanks in advance! I'm going to clean up and disassemble the starter tomorrow and see what a difference its going to make.
Brian
cj80cruiser
Senior Member
This may be redundant but if you remove these yellow circled bolts you will be able to separate your transmission downtube and remove the top half getting it out of the way (top pic of bolt on trasmission downtube to be removed). The second bolt (bottom pic in wheel well) removed will allow you to move your brake lines further out of the way so that you can pull your starter completely out of the wheel well area. Be careful with those brake lines so that you don't bend them too far.
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Qyota
New member
How the crap do you get the top 14mm mount bolt out? I see very little clearance to turn a socket. I tried a 14mm gear-wrench in between the exhaust pipes from the side, but couldn't get enough torque on it. From below, the bottom bolt looks possible, but I need a swivel. The top? I have no clue...maybe a 1" extension and a swivel, with a long breaker bar?
I've already taken everything else apart, so the truck is now stationary until the parts come in on Tuesday. Going to need to run to Ace for more tools, I guess.
I've already taken everything else apart, so the truck is now stationary until the parts come in on Tuesday. Going to need to run to Ace for more tools, I guess.
CoMarc
New member
You're right, that bolt is a toughy! It's been so long now since I did this I'm having a hard time recalling what I did, but I didn't have a swivel at all (I hear this would have been very helpful in this situation). I have a breaker-bar type socket wrench so I'm sure that's what I used, then used a much smaller ratchet to get it out quickly. Good luck!
Qyota
New member
Well, after trying just about every tool I have, I finally got the upper mounting bolt out! Ended up pulling the starter down towards the sway bar, and took the cap off there. Seemed a little easier than working around the brake line from the wheel well.
I took out the plunger and the longer contact, and honestly things don't look too bad. A little dusty, and slightly worn, but not bad by any means. But, since I have it apart, I'll replace the contacts anyway. I cleaned/polished up the surface of the plunger, as it was dirty and pitted, but barely worn.
Parts come in tomorrow, so hopefully I'll get it back together tomorrow night.
I took out the plunger and the longer contact, and honestly things don't look too bad. A little dusty, and slightly worn, but not bad by any means. But, since I have it apart, I'll replace the contacts anyway. I cleaned/polished up the surface of the plunger, as it was dirty and pitted, but barely worn.
Parts come in tomorrow, so hopefully I'll get it back together tomorrow night.
Qyota
New member
Contacts replaced today. Both sides, all OEM parts from the kits. I hope I got the order of parts right! Wasn't quite sure where the o-ring went, but in the end it didn't really matter.
Took probably 6.5 hours total. If I had to do it again...probably 1 hour. Just way too much ****in' around trying to find tools to fit, trying to get the starter out, etc. FYI - I removed my sway bar and it still wouldn't come out. But, it did give me more room to work.
Two big bummers:
1. For some reason the 3rd cap screw wasn't threading in properly. I tried several times to get it started by hand, but it would get hard way too fast. Well, like a bonehead I just kept turning it. It was going in just fine (albeit tough), but when it made contact with the cap, the bolt head busted off. *(&^%^&(O&FF!!! Only about 1.5mm of bolt was left sticking up, so I couldn't get a vicegrips on it. Tried cutting a slot in the end witha dremel, but it wouldn't turn out with a screwdriver. Then I just drilled consecutively larger holes in the bolt (which sucked), and sort of tapped in a new screw. Some locktite and a lockwasher, and I think it'll be fine. The other two bolts went in no problem.
2. Got everything put back together and was about to torque the mounting bolts...when I noticed the G.D. plunger on the floor! W---TEEEEE---EFFFFF? Son of a...
Took everything back apart, slid in the plunger, all is good. But then I snapped off the little rubber "breather" thing by that 3rd bolt! Jeezus, could this get any worse? A little RTV, and I was back in business.
In the end, I don't even know 100% if the problem will be solved, as I said the contacts I removed looked fine...just a little dirty and slightly pitted. We'll see, I guess.
Thanks for all the tips, y'all. I need a beer!
Took probably 6.5 hours total. If I had to do it again...probably 1 hour. Just way too much ****in' around trying to find tools to fit, trying to get the starter out, etc. FYI - I removed my sway bar and it still wouldn't come out. But, it did give me more room to work.
Two big bummers:
1. For some reason the 3rd cap screw wasn't threading in properly. I tried several times to get it started by hand, but it would get hard way too fast. Well, like a bonehead I just kept turning it. It was going in just fine (albeit tough), but when it made contact with the cap, the bolt head busted off. *(&^%^&(O&FF!!! Only about 1.5mm of bolt was left sticking up, so I couldn't get a vicegrips on it. Tried cutting a slot in the end witha dremel, but it wouldn't turn out with a screwdriver. Then I just drilled consecutively larger holes in the bolt (which sucked), and sort of tapped in a new screw. Some locktite and a lockwasher, and I think it'll be fine. The other two bolts went in no problem.
2. Got everything put back together and was about to torque the mounting bolts...when I noticed the G.D. plunger on the floor! W---TEEEEE---EFFFFF? Son of a...
Took everything back apart, slid in the plunger, all is good. But then I snapped off the little rubber "breather" thing by that 3rd bolt! Jeezus, could this get any worse? A little RTV, and I was back in business.
In the end, I don't even know 100% if the problem will be solved, as I said the contacts I removed looked fine...just a little dirty and slightly pitted. We'll see, I guess.
Thanks for all the tips, y'all. I need a beer!
quicksilvr
New member
Seems like too many jobs I do end up going like this. The end result is fine, but man the process just kicks your butt every step of the way.
Qyota
New member
Totally agree. I feel fairly mechanically inclined too! I work on both cars, my motorcycle, and several bicycles...and I have just about every tool I need. Not sure why it's always a struggle. I guess the radiator/t-stat/hoses/rear heat lines project went fine...so it's not ALWAYS terrible. But damn, at some point I need to learn that my time is more valuable!
CoMarc
New member
You're welcome! That's exactly why I made this guide, especially for some of us out there that aren't that mechanically inclined (specifically myself). I'm glad you were able to use this to fix replace your contacts.
Sent from my Android
Maritimer
New member
AMEN!
I look at it as a matter of building a skill set in case I'm ever stuck at the end of a logging road in the winter out of cell phone range with a broken down truck. Then again, I'm a total beginner.
I also figure I'm not dumb enough to get that lost, but a person never knows. I also keep enough gear inside to survive a week or two, anyway.
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