3.4 4wd Starter

I am trying to remove my starter from 2002 V6 4wd Tacoma and have hit a road block. How in the world do you get it out. I have watched a few videos and they all seem to have the 2wd version where you can unbolt and move the brake line. This is not possible with the 4wd version.

 

This is a 4x4 4Runner.

 

The Tacoma brake line is different than his. The second bracket is welded to the frame so it can not be removed like he did.

 

Bummer

 

So it's all unbolted you just need to get it out?

 

Yeah i have it all unhooked and free, just still in the truck engine bay. Apparently being V6, 4wd, and an automatic makes it impossible to remove. Well impossible may not be accurate, but as i look into it one person even posted a video of how to rebuild it while in the truck.

 

I cursed Toyota engineers for a couple of hours when I changed mine. The brake line has to be disconnected from where it mounts on the frame and very carefully pushed aside a bit, then the starter has to be turned a certain way to slide out of the gap, I can't remember just which way you will have to experiment.

 

Is it an issue with auto vs manual? I bought my truck with a new starter so I never had to do it.

 

Can you just remove the brake line then? It would require you to bleed the brakes but it would solve your problem of getting it out and then you can follow the video of mine @Dalandser posted to rebuild your solenoid. To keep the brake line from dripping and losing a bunch of brake fluid, a 7/32" vacuum cap fits nicely over the flared tubing end to stop it from leaking.

 

When I pulled mine I went under the truck not through the wheel well. Literally had it out in 1 minutes once it was unbolted. All I did was remove the exhaust support bracket ( 3 bolts) and it slid right out

 

What about unbolting the two motor mount bolts on the right side and jacking the engine up a little?

 

Maybe the Automatics are different my 5 speed I don`t recall any major problems when doing the clutch .

Truck was on Jack stands and it dropped out the bottom .

Then I have been doing this sort of thing a few times

 

Wyoming09, yes the automatics are different than the manual. Apparently any combination except, v6-4wd-automatic, has a reasonably easy path of removal. Removing the exhaust support bracket would probably work but i can't verify that personally.

I was able to resolve the issue though. So i ended up just pulling the plunger and contacts from the starter with it still in the engine bay, replaced them, and reinstalled. Fires up perfectly again.

 

I ran into the same problem when I replaced my starter, I ended up just twisting it all sorts of ways and found that bring it out from down below past the exhaust/manifold was the best way. Spent like a good 30 mins before I finally got it out.

 

legend has it, that you -can- tetris it out

same story on 4runner, can be done, but I abandoned and moved brake line after 20 minutes failing

 

That's some McGyver stuff there. Good work. Glad you got it fixed

 

Ive heard that you have to remove the transmission dip stick. Then remove it through the wheel well. I have to do this soon too. Starter contacts are worn out. One guy in a video I watched did it really easy, and then another guy didn't remove it at all and just fixed the problem under his truck after he removed the starter. So.... if you figure it out let us know.

 

He said he fixed it without removing it from the engine bay.

 

Another reason to love 2.7

 

If I remember correctly I had to remove the exhaust bracket on mine (manual transmission) but it's been a while