Please help this idiot change a starter on a 99

I'm no mechanical genius but tools and grease don't scare me. Checked out the Haynes manual for changing a starter on a '99 2.4L and it was like "disconnect the electrical connectors, remove two bolts, reinstallation is reverse." Easy, right?

The connectors and bottom bolt come off relatively easy (the bolt took some maneuvering). The top bolt.... not so much. First, it was slightly rounded off, but not terribly so. Second, it's pretty tight getting down in there- I went in from above- and not much room to swing a wrench/ratchet (actually I couldn't even get the ratchet in there-- I could place the socket by itself on the bolt head, but not the socket with the wrench).

Am I doing something wrong? Is getting that top bolt from above the best way? Any tips would be greatly appreciated, I need to get it up and running soon for a job.

 

are you using a deep socket? try using a shorter socket if you are.

edit: listen to him^

 

I got nothing but I love your handle LOL fishsticks

 

Thanks all for the quick replies. But wait, isn't a deep socket effectively the same as a short with an extension? My buddy's probably got a universal, I'll see if I can snag one tomorrow.

Ridgerunner, when I was about 15 my dad's boss took us to a fancy restaurant to celebrate something or other. It was the most expensive restaurant I'd ever been to, which isn't saying much but anyway it was pricey. It was some kind of upscale "California cuisine" type place where ridiculously small amounts of food was placed artistically on the plate ("ooh... a single carrot next to an exotic mushroom.. exciting"). Afterward, being the ungrateful dolt that I am, I said that I would have rather had fishsticks, and since then that's what my sister calls me.

Fishsticks and tartar sauce- it never gets old.

 

Pretty much anything breaded and deep-fried works for me. Kind of a health nut that way.

 

not sure how different is is on the 2.7 then the 3.4 but short socket should do the trick. i think i took that exhaust bracket of and made it easier.
good luck

 

Just curious ak47-- was it a pretty simple thing for you? Even if/when I get that top bolt off, I have no idea how I'm going to install a new one without help. Maybe go in from underneath and position it, tighten up the bottom bolt, then go in from above for the top bolt?

Sorry for the remedial questions-- thanks for the help.

Nice looking truck-- mine's the same color (though not as shiny!)

 

Sweet! I love that story and I like the way you think LOL sorry the 'jack-back to topic

 

I had a 96 2.4 and when I took my stater out, I went under from behind the driver's tire. I had to contort my hand a little bit, but I had small hands so it worked for me. If I remember right, I used a boxed end wrench. I could be wrong, since it was so long ago.

 

Ha-- no problem. And yeah, I'm a culinary barbarian.

 

Thanks for the feedback, ppham444. That's how I got the lower bolt off, but couldn't reach the upper from below. I used a box end too, though I think a long 14mm socket may have worked (of course I only had a short one!).

 

Anybody have any recommendations on where to buy replacement bolts for a starter? I've been to or called all the stores in the area and can't find the ones I want (M10-1.25 60mm). Got a couple from a friend that were better than the ones I pulled out, but they're not in the best shape either so I'd like to replace them. Also, stainless? Titanium? Thanks very much.

 

But Chris, I love titanium! Especially titanium with nanotechnology!

Thanks for the suggestions. Didn't have the correct size at the Ace stores I visited but I'll see if there's a Napa. The autoparts stores seemed to have every single size except the one I'm looking for-- it's a conspiracy, I tell you!

 

i changed my starter all from under the car with someone guiding me from the top

 

The saga continues. Finally got the old starter out, had it checked and replaced it with a new one. Reconnected everything and... still no go.

Disconnected the starter connections, battery cable connections, terminal posts, wiring harnesses... cleaned the posts... reconnected everything and it still won't turn over.

Battery seems good-- headlights, dash lights, etc. seem fine.

Could it be the starter relay? This being a 5-speed, is there a clutch starter switch or something that could be bad? Thanks for any help.