Helpful Starter Removal Hints

['73OpelGT]

found out the starter is bad any helpful hints for pulling it off, I am having a hell of a time getting to the bolts

[First opel 1981]

found out the starter is bad any helpful hints for pulling it off, I am having a hell of a time getting to the bolts

I just use a rachet with 15mm shallow well socket and extensions (a six inch and 3 inch combined) to get the main bolts off and a 13mm socket with the 6" extension for the brace.

[hrcollinsjr]

I just use a rachet with 15mm shallow well socket and extensions (a six inch and 3 inch combined) to get the main bolts off and a 13mm socket with the 6" extension for the brace.

A flex socket is sometimes helpful. FYI: I've run across a few starter bolts requiring a 17mm socket.
Harold

[First opel 1981]

FYI: I've run across a few starter bolts requiring a 17mm socket.
Harold

True, True.

[Paul]

The bolts can't be removed completely using a socket, you can loosen them a few turns. Then the socket will be captured by the recess in the housing. YOU will have to finger them off. The bottom bolt requires yo lay on you back under the car to remove...

[opelnut10]

The bolts can't be removed completely using a socket, you can loosen them a few turns. Then the socket will be captured by the recess in the housing. YOU will have to finger them off. The bottom bolt requires yo lay on you back under the car to remove...

If you take the bottom bolt and brace bolt out first, you can hold the starter with one hand and ratchet the top one with the other while pulling out on the starter to keep it from be in captured. And yes you have to get under the car to remove the bottom bolt and if you don't have a lift it requires you to lay either on the floor or on a creeper to get under the car.

[Lindsay]

If I remember correctly, on my 71, 72, & 73 GT starters, I used 17 mm hex for the bolts.

For Assembly:
Replaced the (2) hex bolts with socket head cap screws.
Using a long allen wrench (L-shaped), I was able to spin bolts tight while supporting starter weight with other hand.
Then, use open end wrench to tighten (torque) with the allen wrench.

Current 71 GT has dipstick in the way of starter.

[hrcollinsjr]

The bolts can't be removed completely using a socket, .. Then the socket will be captured by the recess in the housing.

I believe I've used a flex socket successfully on starter bolts plus if the bolt heads are 15mm this same socket is very handy when removing or replacing the intake/exhaust manifold bolts. If you can't afford the complete set of flex socketst at least buy the 13mm & 15mm ones. Can't tell they've saved my butt a few times can you?

Harold

[markandson]

It is amazing to me how bad my memory is now. I just replaced my stock starter with the 2.4 one about 6 weeks ago and I can't remember how I went about it. I don't think I even jacked up the car, I think I did it all from the top. I know for sure the starter came out the top because it was very difficult to get out with all the extra stuff that I put on that side of the engine. I remember the socket being captured and getting PO'd that they designed it that way. I think to get the bottom bolt out I used a long extension that reached almost out to the alternator.

[ghcoe]

If you turn the steering wheel all the way to the left, the bottom bolt is easy to get to through the wheel well. George.

[Redskinsjbs]

If you turn the steering wheel all the way to the left, the bottom bolt is easy to get to through the wheel well. George.

... Isn't the wheel well in a different location from the starter? ... and sealed off?