1998 Maxima - how difficult is it to change starter ?

[bang4dabuck]

I am asking because it is 40 miles away and dark out. I got a small/regular hydraulic jack and some jack stands. Is it easy to get to and get wrenches on to where I need to ? Where is it located in relation to the oil pan (driver side , adjacent, front of , behind) ? I was planning to attack it from the driver side.

thanks

[audtatious]

It's pretty easy I believe. Remove the air cleaner and it should be on top or around the sides of the transaxle.

[bang4dabuck]

Yeah, looking around the net it seems you get it from above and just need to remove several things including the air cleaner.

thanks

[audtatious]

Yeah, you remove the air intake and piping to get access.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/1998/EL.pdf

^^ that states the same thing.

[loystock]

You may need a breaker bar to loosen the mounting bolts (2 ea)(. Otherwise, nothing complicated -just a single-wire connector and battery connection.

Most likely, the starter is just 'sticky.' I have pulled out the starters in the 97&99 I30s, cleaned and lubricated the front end (pinion and planetary gears) with White Lithium Grease and the rear end (motor and stator) cleaned with Contact Cleaner. So far both of them working good. Just make sure you put alignment marks on the starter assembly for ease of re-assembly.