AwwPhooey
Member
- Joined
- December 31, 2009
- Messages
- 35
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Sacramento, CA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '01 XLT
Hello everyone-
I almost hate to ask you folks this, because I know it's a basic "been asked a hundred times" question- but I promise I looked at as many threads as I could find, and saw a number of different answers. Here's the deal; starter is out, no surprise, it's the original on an XLT with 270K (I maintain my cars religiously).
I'm no heavy duty gear head, but I can get around ok. Except for this freakin' starter. I just got completed 3 hours on my back trying to get that @!#%$@ top bolt off. And though there is definitely some things I enjoy on my back for 3 hours, this is waaaaaaay down on the list.
So first question- removing the drive line below makes it appear that it would help with clearance, but I'm not positive it would- and the little bolt heads holding the drive line in place have no clearance for a box wrench (wth?!?), so I can't seem to get them off.
I've read that going through the wheel well gives better clearance (I'd take the tire off, but I'm beat, done for the day, po'd and have to get up at 4:30). If I try that, will I have any more success?
Also, the super simple bottom bolt is a 13mm- is the top the same size? Asking because it sounds like depending on the XLT and year (including mine), they range in size and some have even been offset from each other (some dude had like a 14 and 17!).
A set of tools I don't have are moon wrenches. It almost seems that if I used a moon wrench, going up from the bottom and not removing the drive line, I'd have a chance.
Ok, last question. How challenging to rebuild? I've taken parts off and installed parts on, six ways to Sunday, but I've never taken something apart like an alternator or starter to rebuild. A couple of parts stores have the brushes for around 30ish, which, before Thanksgiving and Christmas, with two boys and all, would be easier on my wallet than 160.00. Unless it's just simply not a good idea.
Any guidance, thoughts, directions or cold beers would be appreciated!
Phoo
I almost hate to ask you folks this, because I know it's a basic "been asked a hundred times" question- but I promise I looked at as many threads as I could find, and saw a number of different answers. Here's the deal; starter is out, no surprise, it's the original on an XLT with 270K (I maintain my cars religiously).
I'm no heavy duty gear head, but I can get around ok. Except for this freakin' starter. I just got completed 3 hours on my back trying to get that @!#%$@ top bolt off. And though there is definitely some things I enjoy on my back for 3 hours, this is waaaaaaay down on the list.
So first question- removing the drive line below makes it appear that it would help with clearance, but I'm not positive it would- and the little bolt heads holding the drive line in place have no clearance for a box wrench (wth?!?), so I can't seem to get them off.
I've read that going through the wheel well gives better clearance (I'd take the tire off, but I'm beat, done for the day, po'd and have to get up at 4:30). If I try that, will I have any more success?
Also, the super simple bottom bolt is a 13mm- is the top the same size? Asking because it sounds like depending on the XLT and year (including mine), they range in size and some have even been offset from each other (some dude had like a 14 and 17!).
A set of tools I don't have are moon wrenches. It almost seems that if I used a moon wrench, going up from the bottom and not removing the drive line, I'd have a chance.
Ok, last question. How challenging to rebuild? I've taken parts off and installed parts on, six ways to Sunday, but I've never taken something apart like an alternator or starter to rebuild. A couple of parts stores have the brushes for around 30ish, which, before Thanksgiving and Christmas, with two boys and all, would be easier on my wallet than 160.00. Unless it's just simply not a good idea.
Any guidance, thoughts, directions or cold beers would be appreciated!
Phoo
