05 Explorer 4.6L Starter removal problem

[yaedaddy]

I've removed all the terminals off the starter and remove the first mounting bolt .Went through hell and i don't no how i manage to get the second one off with the muffler pipe in the way .But this third mounting bolt i can not get .The muffler pipe is in the way.Do i disconnect the muffler by removing the two bolts ? Or is there another way to get to the third bolt .Also to avoid hassle putting the new one in ??????????? .Thanks

 

[mall]

I've removed all the terminals off the starter and remove the first mounting bolt .Went through hell and i don't no how i manage to get the second one off with the muffler pipe in the way .But this third mounting bolt i can not get .The muffler pipe is in the way.Do i disconnect the muffler by removing the two bolts ? Or is there another way to get to the third bolt .Also to avoid hassle putting the new one in ??????????? .Thanks

I have a V6 in my Explorer so I am not sure if it is similar, but I removed the tire an inner fender well and it was all right there.

 

[yaedaddy]

Yes it's the same but where the manifold pipe comes down from the engine its hard to get any movement once I get the wrench on the bolt because the frame and the pipe limits me

 

[mall]

Yes it's the same but where the manifold pipe comes down from the engine its hard to get any movement once I get the wrench on the bolt because the frame and the pipe limits me

Try removing the inner fender well. I was able to get more room to swing a ratchet with a short extension and see what I was doing.

 

[drew76924]

Go from the very front by the radiator and use extensions n snake it back the and use your hand to guide the.socket onto the bolt... fyi u dont have to put that bolt back in... didnt put mine back in on my mounty and also didnt put it back in on my 600hp mustang and have no problems.

 

[HiImBrian]

Yeah it's a pain. Extensions and swivel joints. I used a 3" & 7" extension and 2 joints. I also used a 4" ratchet so I had room to move it.

 

[ExpCon]

2002 XLT 4.6L 135K Silver, RR Air, Tow, All Original Owner. Got my starter changed. Starter worked fine but I thought the gear was not retracting properly because of a ticking noise near the bellhousing. Starter was not the ticking problem. Still a mystery. Only took 6 hours. 3 hours one afternoon..gave up..put it back together, then 3 hours the next day. Thanks to this forum there were many suggestions. This was the solution that worked after all on the top bolt. Passenger wheel off, Mud Flap off, About 24" of 3/8" drive extensions with a 13mm flex socket, behind the strut and a 3/8" Impact pistol. Top bolt was first one out, last in. Reinstall: Used scotch tape on bolt head to stuff it into socket, electrical tape on flex socket to minimize swivel. Got the bolt started by hand using the extensions only and finished with a 3/8" ratchet. Removal required the assembly pictured. ExpCon Oh Ya..Need to crack other two bolts loose before this Impact/Extensions could even loosen the top one.