Easy way to change starter?

[specialguy92]

After much diagnosis, it appears that I need to replace my starter. I've come to terms with the bill, and bought the new part. Here's the problem I'm having: The top bolt mounting the starter to the car is incredibly difficult to get to. I can attach a wrench to it, but there's not enough room to turn it. Am I doing this wrong? Is there any way to do this without taking the engine out?

*note* I ran a bunch of searches, but there doesn't appear to be a guide for removing your starter. Am I just retarded?

 

[Setheroo]

Good hands is all it takes. Run a long extension through the intake manifold to hit the nut that it threads into on the other side... and let something hold the bolt in place on the other side. Enjoy yourself while doing it... some people complain about changing the starters on our cars.. but they aren't that bad.

 

[PROJECT N00b]

uhm dont forget to unplug the battery!

 

[suprarx7nut]

Long extensions, patience, wobblers, a small, stubby 14mm wrench and more patience.

It took me and a friend about 3 hours to get it out. I think I have a method down now (the extensions/wobblers), but holy crap is it difficult. It was designed to be installed with engine out of car.

 

[ForcedTorque]

Your car is a 92, so you have the "EASY" starter with threaded bolt holes. Hopefully your replacement is that way too, or you will need longer bolts and some nuts. A couple of feet of extension, and you can turn the ratchet out around the alternator.

You could go all out and buy a JDM ECU and remove the EGR, to free up an extra millimeter or two back there.

***EDIT*** After a quick look at your profile, I see you now have an 88. In that car, you can drop the transmission mount, and take your extensions back there. Go up over the bellhousing with the extensions and wobblers to turn the nut. On the bolt side, the lack of room for a wrench to turn is now your extra hand. Put a closed end 14mm up there, and loosen the nut as the bolt end gets wedged into place. Hint....Support the tranny with a jack, and don't allow it to come down far enough to break your motor mounts, or allow your fan to hit the radiator. You don't have to drop it much.