starter removal
- Thread starter johnny c
- Start date
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This is from memory when I did mine but it should be pretty close....
It wasn't too big of a deal, it is located on the passenger side of the truck, relatively easy access through the wheel well if you turn the wheel all the way to the left. Biggest problem I had was that I think you have to remove a section of brake line to do it correctly which results in having to bleed your brakes when you are done. Other than that, pretty straight forward.
It wasn't too big of a deal, it is located on the passenger side of the truck, relatively easy access through the wheel well if you turn the wheel all the way to the left. Biggest problem I had was that I think you have to remove a section of brake line to do it correctly which results in having to bleed your brakes when you are done. Other than that, pretty straight forward.
yotaah said:
You don't need to remove the brake line at all. Remove the retention bracket on the inside of the frame (12mm) and bend it out of the way.
If you've never done it before it's a ***** the first time, you need to disconnect the battery, jack up truck on jackstands, remove wheel (RH) , remove body-frame splashshield. Remove Automatic transmission dipstick, remove the upper dipstick tube.
Then remove the starter, easier done by using a long extension with a swivel 14mm socket and remove starter bolts and remove the electrical connections.
Bend the brake lines downward and towards the rear, but not too much and bend enough to remove the starter.
Now, you don't have to replace the starter, only replace the starter contacts. There's 3 8mm bolts and an access cover, remove that and replace the contacts in the order they are installed. Take the solenoid plunger end that contacts the electrical contacts and clean it with a fine sandpaper.
Install is reverse.
beallen21
New member
I did my starter twice in one month cause I bought a dud, and I will tell you this, I will never do it myself again, I have been working on cars since I was bout 13, you name it I prolly done it, but I will pay someone to change my starter if it goes out again, I screwed up my rack&pinion lines tryin to get the damn thing out and now I go through a quart of power steering fluid about ever 2 months, but it is doable
CO_FlyFisher
New member
There is some real good info on this thread.
The starter is not all that hard to get out through the wheel well. As mentioned above, just remove the brake line mount and CAREFULLY bend the line out of the way (doesn't need to be moved too much). I did NOT take my wheel off. Some people say the top bolt holding the starter on is a real pain to undo, but I had no problems at all using a single extension on a 3/8" drive socket wrench (but I'm stronger than most too). The hardest part for me was getting the starter turned just right to get it out of the opening in the wheel well above the frame member.
Check out my 2 posts in the middle of the thread I linked. New starter contacts can be had for ~$10.
The starter is not all that hard to get out through the wheel well. As mentioned above, just remove the brake line mount and CAREFULLY bend the line out of the way (doesn't need to be moved too much). I did NOT take my wheel off. Some people say the top bolt holding the starter on is a real pain to undo, but I had no problems at all using a single extension on a 3/8" drive socket wrench (but I'm stronger than most too). The hardest part for me was getting the starter turned just right to get it out of the opening in the wheel well above the frame member.
Check out my 2 posts in the middle of the thread I linked. New starter contacts can be had for ~$10.
johnny c
New member
Thanks so far, I'am sure it is a contact issue. I have a hoist, so getting under isn't an issue. I did hear somewhere that they were a little tough to remove so I thought I would see if anyone had a tip or two in order to make my job a little easier. I thank you for your time and information!!!
Ron Helmuth
Senior Member
remove the battery?
expand on this remove the battery thing....
I had never read about that before.
I agree that taking the tire off sure makes a lot of sense to free up some room....
expand on this remove the battery thing....
I had never read about that before.
I agree that taking the tire off sure makes a lot of sense to free up some room....
CO_FlyFisher
New member
Re: remove the battery?
I actually thought it was easier WITH the tire on. It gave me a nice smooth surface to lean against and leverage myself. It might be a wee bit painful leaning against the A-arm, rotor, and those 6 lug bolts sticking out.
I actually thought it was easier WITH the tire on. It gave me a nice smooth surface to lean against and leverage myself. It might be a wee bit painful leaning against the A-arm, rotor, and those 6 lug bolts sticking out.
Who mentioned taking out the battery???Ron Helmuth said:
Ron Helmuth
Senior Member
MY BAD
Woops disconnect the battery-remove the starter
I mis read thanks for clarifying.
Woops disconnect the battery-remove the starter
I mis read thanks for clarifying.
MyFirstRunner
Member
So I spent about 3 hours on this today and could not get the top bolt off. I was using 3/8" long extensions but could not get it to break with my Dewalt cordless impact. Would a half inch work better. Any thoughts?
Konkordmusk
New member
Break it loose with a ratchet, then use the gun to spin it the rest of the way off. Youre probably not getting direct rotational torque on the bolt head with the angle.
I think Konkordmusk is right, my first thought was the impact don't have enough a$$ to break it loose.
Also, I read somewhere on here that it was easier to drop the starter out of the bottom of the truck by removing the sway bar. Not sure if that works best or not but when mine gets ill I will look at that option as well as the side removal. I have read where guys pulled it from the side, no problem, and then read where some guys could not get it out the side...
Also, I read somewhere on here that it was easier to drop the starter out of the bottom of the truck by removing the sway bar. Not sure if that works best or not but when mine gets ill I will look at that option as well as the side removal. I have read where guys pulled it from the side, no problem, and then read where some guys could not get it out the side...
aontkos
New member
I don't understand why people have such a hard time with this. Find the videos that are floating around and follow the advice on this forum.
I simply used a 20" breaker bar and a few extensions to remove the starter. I pulled it out through the wheel well after moving the brake line and the transmission dipstick. Just watch how its been done in the videos. I removed mine and replaced the contacts in about an hour...and that's without removing the wheel.
I simply used a 20" breaker bar and a few extensions to remove the starter. I pulled it out through the wheel well after moving the brake line and the transmission dipstick. Just watch how its been done in the videos. I removed mine and replaced the contacts in about an hour...and that's without removing the wheel.