(Another) Starter Contacts Removal Thread!

[Qyota]

I also figure I'm not dumb enough to get that lost, but a person never knows.

Right. I mean, most projects are just R/R bolts, nuts, hoses, clips, etc. I usually just end up breaking something along the way and totally complicating an otherwise simple task.

Anyway, yes thank you CoMarc for the great how-to!

 

[atalarico]

So, after just being quoted $275 to replace the starter in my 97 limited, I'm going to go ahead and give this a shot. My local dealership has the contacts for $12 each, so I'll just get the three an return the two I don't need.

This *looks* straight forward. Hopefully I can make it happen! Thanks for the really great write up and pictures!

-t.

 

[CoMarc]

So, after just being quoted $275 to replace the starter in my 97 limited, I'm going to go ahead and give this a shot. My local dealership has the contacts for $12 each, so I'll just get the three an return the two I don't need.

This *looks* straight forward. Hopefully I can make it happen! Thanks for the really great write up and pictures!

-t.

Good luck! And thanks! If you run into something or know when you're doing it I might be able to swing out and help real quick (if I'm reading right you're in Denver metro area).

 

[atalarico]

Good luck! And thanks! If you run into something or know when you're doing it I might be able to swing out and help real quick (if I'm reading right you're in Denver metro area).

I *love* this forum. Yes, I'm near Colorado and Colfax. I'll be working on it Monday morning. Hopefully it will be smooth sailing, but just like computers, something about auto work brings out the worst in me. Hah!

 

[Blueman2]

Just a comment on the process and getting the top bolt out of the starter.

I ended up using a 3" extension on the socket, then a universal, then a 16" extension. This gave me enough clearance to swing the ratchet meaningfully (more than two clicks per turn). I did not remove the exhaust bracket as suggested by the OP. I found I had enough clearance to get both bolts out with the bracket in place.

After loosening the bolt, by sitting with the brake rotor in my lap, I was able to get one hand under the starter and one hand on the 3" extension and turn it the rest of the way out by hand.

After the bolts came out, I was able to turn the starter so the pinion was pointing forward, then bring the starter back by the exhaust collector, then swing the brake lines (previously unbolted) aside and wiggle the starter out through the wheel well. I am not a fan of fiddly in-frame work. As you bring the starter out, the front of the starter will be pointing back over your left shoulder (if you are sitting in the wheel well) and the solenoid box will be at about 2:00 to clear the exhaust flange and avoid the brake lines. I pushed the brake lines to the left to start the process and then just before bringing the starter out, pushed the brake lines as far to the right as they would go without feeling as though I was damaging anything. At this point the starter slid right on out.

I'll try to get some pics on the re-install.

After looking at the contacts, one is severely worn, the other not so much. Of more concern at this point is the cable going into the starter body. The rubber boot is crumbling and in fact, fell apart as I handled the starter. Although the underlying braided cable looks connected, there is a lot of tarnish on it. I am wondering if it is worth replacing just to avoid the headache down the road.

Pics as promised

going in over the frame rail, don't cut the boot on the body flange

rotated forward a bit and going past the brake lines

turning around for installation of bolts

almost installation position

 

[trdracing5]

Just replaced the contacts on the starter for the 4Runner.
Man the top bolt was tough to get to.
FYI-I purchased my contacts from Nations Starter & Alternator- Best Quality Starter & Alternator Supply!

 

[Skurvy_Pirate]

Is it possible to remove the starter without unbolting the brake lines? I started working on it this last weekend and the second bolt is stripped, so I would like to avoid the huge PITA of removing it.

 

[trdracing5]

I got mine out without having to move or remove anything. I was surprised that others were having such a hard time (of course I have a 2WD if that makes any difference).
I unbolted it, dropped it down and maneuvered it around until it came out the bottom. I think the brake line thing is if you are trying to get it out the wheel well.

 

[cj80cruiser]

I got mine out without having to move or remove anything. I was surprised that others were having such a hard time (of course I have a 2WD if that makes any difference).
I unbolted it, dropped it down and maneuvered it around until it came out the bottom. I think the brake line thing is if you are trying to get it out the wheel well.

2wd does make it easier. It was the only time, so far, that I wished mine was a 2wd.

 

[Skurvy_Pirate]

I got mine out without having to move or remove anything. I was surprised that others were having such a hard time (of course I have a 2WD if that makes any difference).
I unbolted it, dropped it down and maneuvered it around until it came out the bottom. I think the brake line thing is if you are trying to get it out the wheel well.

Well unfortunately (for this) it is 4WD haha. I will be having another run at it this weekend so hopefully I can find anther way to get it out without moving the brake line. If not it may be a looooong weekend.

 

[Skurvy_Pirate]

I worked on the brake line bolt for a little bit but gave up on that approach. The space was too tight and it would have taken too much time to grind it down to get some vice grips or something on it.

There was no way to get the starter out, I tried a lot of different ways. I ended up just rotating the starter and dropping it down to the bottom and working on it from under the car kind of behind the wheel. It worked out well and it was in perfect reach and was resting perfectly so that I could change the contacts relatively easily. Cleaned up the plunger as well while I was in there.

So far it is working great!

 

[blcktpgsr]

Gotta change mine too as the starters been faltering alot as of late...click!

Now do I have to go to the stealership for the contacts, or will any aftermarket do just fine?

Great write up by the way.

 

[CoMarc]

Gotta change mine too as the starters been faltering alot as of late...click!

Now do I have to go to the stealership for the contacts, or will any aftermarket do just fine?

Great write up by the way.

Thanks for the compliment, Blcktpgsr!

I honestly didn't look around for any aftermarket contacts as any posts I had read previous to making this one said the contacts could be bought at the dealership for pretty cheap. I suppose for that small piece of metal, $11 (USD) sounds like quite a bit, but when you can do all the labor yourself $11 is pretty cheap!

I imagine the contacts you get at the dealership will be better made than any aftermarket, so the cost difference probably won't be worth it in this case, IMO. However, on other parts/pieces I definitely would rather get them from a closer auto store that I trust. But to each their own!

 

[blcktpgsr]

Thanks for the compliment, Blcktpgsr!

I honestly didn't look around for any aftermarket contacts as any posts I had read previous to making this one said the contacts could be bought at the dealership for pretty cheap. I suppose for that small piece of metal, $11 (USD) sounds like quite a bit, but when you can do all the labor yourself $11 is pretty cheap!

I imagine the contacts you get at the dealership will be better made than any aftermarket, so the cost difference probably won't be worth it in this case, IMO. However, on other parts/pieces I definitely would rather get them from a closer auto store that I trust. But to each their own!

Ok so I inquired at the dealer and I was told i needed two pairs, I didn't think too much of it at the time but, why two pairs?

Could they mean I also have to replace the squarish piece of metal as well, instaed of just the parts that actually make contact?

 

[CoMarc]

Ok so I inquired at the dealer and I was told i needed two pairs, I didn't think too much of it at the time but, why two pairs?

Could they mean I also have to replace the squarish piece of metal as well, instaed of just the parts that actually make contact?

I think I remember someone saying something like this before too when calling the dealership. I took my contact out of the starter, drove the wifes car to the dealership, told them what the vehicle was, and showed them the old contact. They were able to get me the one contact I needed.

I imagine they say two pair because they aren't sure which type you actually need. I guess there are a couple possible starters that might haver been used on the 4Runners. When I talked with the dealership first it sounded like that to me, at least.

Hope this helps!

Sent from my Android

 

[blcktpgsr]

I think I remember someone saying something like this before too when calling the dealership. I took my contact out of the starter, drove the wifes car to the dealership, told them what the vehicle was, and showed them the old contact. They were able to get me the one contact I needed.

I imagine they say two pair because they aren't sure which type you actually need. I guess there are a couple possible starters that might haver been used on the 4Runners. When I talked with the dealership first it sounded like that to me, at least.

Hope this helps!

Sent from my Android

Well I guess it's best if I take the starter contacts first, go to the dealer and show them obviously what I need..Good thing is that they have the parts in stock.

I'll get to it by the end of this week.

Thanks again. CoMarc

 

[Ron Helmuth]

4crawler has all the parts as well

Mr Roger Brown has all the contact parts for this work. 4crawler.com is the website-good writeups as well.

I still have never gotten around to doing this for myself, but I am getting the occasional click on first start of the day.

Now that I am down to just the Runner as my only driver I am a bit gunshy on taking this project on and leaving myself stranded.

Co Marc or other Denver guys-care to supervise in exchange for garage space for other modifications/upgrades or adult beverages?

 

[CoMarc]

Co Marc or other Denver guys-care to supervise in exchange for garage space for other modifications/upgrades or adult beverages?

Hey Ron,
I'd be happy to lend you a hand with this whenever I can. Although it seems I have less and less time to work on my own truck these days with a daughter who's a couple weeks away from turning one! See what we can do!

 

[blcktpgsr]

I also just recently finished replacing the contacts myself..I didn't go with the Toyota ones either.

 

[WHORERUNNER]

Anyone have the parts # for the contacts and the plunger, I believe my starter is orginal and with 116k on the odo I dont feeling like changing them out in the winter with no garage. I'm looking for oem