get starter out

[youngil006]

hey
got an 01 explorer 4x4. starter shot. how do i get it out, there is no space. i got the ground bolt loose. the upper mounting bolt is rusted on, i used pb blaster, but there is no space to use a wrench. haynes manual doesn't say to remove other things. any help please advise.

 

[rrawlings]

is this a 4.0? I had mine out recently and it quite frankly sucked poop. Used a ratchet above the starter and pushed with the heal of my hand and eventually it came loose but I came out with a bruise on my hand. Hurt like h#$$

 

[youngil006]

it a 4.0 auto. you were able to get a ratchet in there? the drive shaft is in the way. there must me a special tool. am i wrong?

 

[rrawlings]

Now that you mention it I had dropped the diff down to get out the oilpan, it probably made it easier. don't drop the diff just to do it my way.

 

[96eb96]

it a 4.0 auto. you were able to get a ratchet in there? the drive shaft is in the way. there must me a special tool. am i wrong?

I have a 96 4.0 4wd, yours is probably similar.
You can do it with a set of socket extensions and a universal. Take your time to think it out, and experiment until you find the right combination. The top bolt is not fun and a major PITA. To break the rusty upper bolt the universal was at a 90 deg angle and the torque was applied thru the extensions.

 

[manaen]

when I replaced my engine, that was 1 of 2 PITA on the entire job, you are working blind, I think I ended up using a combo wrench to get everything off, it took a long time like 15 - 20 min to get all the stupid bolts out and get the wires removed. There is really no easy way to do it that I found. Just get comfortable under the truck and start turning.

 

[Bill MacLeod]

hey
got an 01 explorer 4x4. starter shot. how do i get it out, there is no space. i got the ground bolt loose. the upper mounting bolt is rusted on, i used pb blaster, but there is no space to use a wrench. haynes manual doesn't say to remove other things. any help please advise.

SOHC or OHV motor?

 

[daffy]

SOHC or OHV motor?

no OHV in 01, would be a 4.0 SOHC, or a 5.0.

Oh, wait, did they still put a 5.0 in in '01? Or did they switch to the 4.6?

 

[Bill MacLeod]

On the SOHC 4 x4, there is a large inverted L shape bracket made of case iron bolted to the side of the transfer case and attached to either the frame or suspension. Remove this bracket (shop manual calls it a retainer) and you will now have room to access the wiring, starter bolts and remove the starter.

 

[youngil006]

hey all
good news I GOT THE TOP BOLT OFF!!!! you guys were right what a PITA!! now just gotta losen the solenoid bolt, wiggle out the starter some how and reverse. man the top bolt was really rusted on, got to the point where the socket almost rounded off the nut....but i got it out with extentions and bendable sockets. thanks all.

 

[manaen]

just be sure to use a new bolt on assembly