how to replace a 7afe starter, Sorry no pictures yet... Options

[CelicaST_CALI]

OMG that thing is a bitch,it took me about 3 hours to take it out and like an hour to put it back in,the car starts perfectly, bolts:

mounting bolts are 14mm

bolt holding on wire is 13 mm

tools:
ratchet
2 extensions(really only need 1)
13&14mm socket
a pipe to slip over ratchet to break bolts loose

First i unplugged the neg bat terminal(duh) tehn take off a stock air box and it made it a lot easier to get the first bolt, i got the 1st bolt by reaching from above the engine, the bolt is located kinda under the intake manifold on the driver side(sorry i didn't have a camera at the time but ill take pics soon) i had to remove some stupid little wire holder that was bolted to the block to get the ratchet to sit on the bolt.then break that bolt off(not literally)This is the easy bolt!!(all i used was a ratchet and a 14mm socket)


To get to the second bolt i had to crawl under the car,the starter is located right above the pass side axle and close to the exhaust downpipe,while under the car i undid the wire bolt that was a 13mm and i used dual extensions to get to it,the second wire on the starter just pulls off but pushing in a lil tab.Now to the bolt,to find the bolt u go to where the wires are and u move toward the driver side and u can barely see it(i used 1 extension to get this off).Now i was under the car which was propped up on some ramps so it wasn't very high,the few that have lifts it would probably be easier,After getting the socket to plant on the bolt i left the racket dangling and ran to the top and slipped a pip over the ratchet and torqued until it broke off.

installing is basically the same but just a pita to get the thing lined up with teh bolts.

time: 1-2 hours to take off
.5-1.5 hours to put back on

have fun its a big pain in the ass(literally)

This is the starter,it is right below the intake manifold


This post has been edited by CelicaST_CALI: Jul 6, 2009 - 8:05 PM

[CelicaST_CALI]

no one cares

[chaynes]

I'm sad to hear this is a PITA. I'm sure i'll have to do this sometime soon. However, if it makes you feel better, I will bookmark this thread for future reference!

[CelicaST_CALI]

hahah yay someone cares!!!ill get pics up soon

[shortydragon]

i feel ur pain I had to replace my starter 3 days ago. and yes, it took a little under four hours to get it done! 2 of those hours were spent trying to figure out how to even touch the d*** starter! It didnt help either when there was a hot hawaiin girl that live next door that kept coming out in a sports bra to just sit on her porch

[CelicaST_CALI]

7 months later and my 25$ starter is still going strong...wow i never added pics..hahah ill have to do that somtime

[mr-belowaverage]

You're doing something wrong. It took me about 45 minutes to remove, rebuild and reinstall my starter

You can reach up from underneath, undo the two bolts and just maneuver it out.

Also, if your starter fails, 90% of the time you just need new contacts.

[CelicaST_CALI]

My bolts were on there really really tight..do u have a stock exhaust?