G50 - Starter Replacement

[Lifted79CJ7]

OK, so I started to replace my starter today, only to realize - how in the world do I get to the two bolts?? Man, what should be a simple part change looks impossible without disassembling the entire bottom end of the car! Can anyone give me any pointers? This is on a 91 Q45.Grrrrrrrr, Jack

[96Qowner]

Here ya go - this should help:

Q45 Starter removal, repair

[Lifted79CJ7]

THANK YOU!!! I did a search, but I must suck at it for I didn't find this. You are the man!! I'll snap some pics of my replacement to add into that article...Jack

[Haitian_King]

While searching on NICO isn't as retardedly difficult as it is on other boards, it's not the easiest thing to do either. Especially when you're in a rush. I search for things during mowntime and make note of topics.

[Lifted79CJ7]

I think the worst thing is when you just get stumped as all get out - like me right now. They must have changed motor mount designs for it is DIRECTLY in front of me being able to snake it from the front. IT's close, but no cigar. I have tried all three different size ratches, multiple size extensions, multiple elbows, etc to no avail. Grrrr...The part that looks like light is actually the side of the socket - you can't get to the back of the socket from this angle on a 1991 Q45.

Any other suggestions?Jack

Modified by Lifted79CJ7 at 8:38 PM 1/26/2008

[Lifted79CJ7]

SUCCESS!!! I found a really old non-ratcheting wrench that just squeezed in there. It was a close fit, and jsut sqeezes past the braket for the rack & pinion system. My 14mm socket is a 6 point, but after braking it free, I ended up using a 12 sided 9/16th's for it was more loose and would allow the wrench to lean towards the back of the car so I could better clear the r&p bracket. Whew - what a fiasco!Now onto the top bolt...JackPS - My brother in law just called and informed me that one of his buddy's dad is close friends with Jerry Reed and he got him to autograph a copy of Smokey and the Bandit for me!!

Modified by Lifted79CJ7 at 6:12 PM 1/26/2008

[Lifted79CJ7]

Oh holy hell, all that work and it's not the starter. Now to find out where the starter relay is. Talk about doing things the hard way!! Oh, and more pictures to come.

Anyone know where the starter relay is located at???

Anyone?

Bueller?

Bueller?

Bueller?



Or better yet, could it be the alarm? I keep entering and exiting through the passenger door for the drivers is blocked by a wall. I'll go try and track down some wiring...

This is the best info I have found so far, but still would like to know where all the relays are located at.zerothread/249695

Jack
Modified by Lifted79CJ7 at 7:23 PM 1/26/2008

[qship96]

Starter relay is attached to passenger side shock tower on back side near ABS control unit and windsheild-I changed mine last week,took all of 1 minute max. 2 plugs on bottom of blue relay.

[Lifted79CJ7]

Thanks qship!! Yeah, the only relay I heard clicking was the relay under the dash, so I am willing to bet that is it. Anywho, the starter needed to be changed - check out all this rust from being up north in Chicago for part of it's life....

Well, I needed to get the 14mm stubby wrench, since my wrench selection is minimal...

Sears didn't have just the one wrench, just the normal expensive sets, and that isn't in the budget right now, but I did find this set of generics for only $38! They seem really nice, don't seem to flex or bend like chinese tools, so we'll see how long they last. Man it feels good to finally have the tools you need to do a job!

I guess I might as well show off my favorite tool of all - a magnetic bee..., I mean, soda coozy! It doesn't scratch paint either! All you have to do is stick it where ever you are working!

Anywho, if you have not been near your starter, it is a TIGHT squeeze! While going for the top bolt, I tried the tool setup recommended, but I just couldn't get enough leverage to break the bolt free. All that life in Snow/Salty Chicago had taken it's toll. Anywho, here is a shot of how tight it is:

That may not look to bad, so take a look when I shove my skinny hand in there:

I thought about going at if from the top and maybe hitting it with a long rod or something, but I couldn't get a direct shot at it.

I feel bad for guys who work on these cars that have big hands! Well, as you can imagine, the leverage just wasn't there, so I pulled out another trick and put a wrench on the end of the ratchet that is connected to the stubby wrench that is on the bolt.....and hope it all doesn't fall apart as soon as I put pressure on it. Well guess what? IT WORKED!

To give you an idea of what it's like and the tool I fabbed up, here is a picture that I spent a few million dollars on in recreating.

The best part was, all I really had to take off was the heat shield and DID NOT have to remove the power steering line from the rack and pinion. It did take some jockeying around to get the starter out of there, and getting at the bolt that holds on the 12V power line is a *****, but I got it in there!

Oh lord. I just realized that I didn't hook up the wire for the solenoid. I'm recharging my battery, so why doesn't my dumb arse go out there, HOOK UP THE STARTER and try it again?

Lord I amaze myself sometimes!
Modified by Lifted79CJ7 at 8:15 PM 1/26/2008

[Lifted79CJ7]

Success!! She fired up!! I think I do have a bad relay though, for she didn't start on the first few tries, so I plan on hitting the auto parts store in the morning to replace it. At the very least, I am glad that I am getting all of this work done now instead of when I am relying on her for she still needs lots of little things done to her. Oh, and I also got a new battery hold down installed since mine was missing. Overall, a very successful day AND I got new tools instead of going out and wasting it on the town!

[Haitian_King]

Wow. Great job. The MacGyver thing you did to get the bolt out is ingenious!

Great job seriously. The pics are great. You're quite handy with MS Paint. It made me laugh.

Glad to see that it started up. Good thing you got that starter out. That rust was quite excessive.

[Lifted79CJ7]

Yeah, I guess I need to start carrying around duck tape with me everywhere I go!

I was able to make it out to the auto parts store today and get the relay at PepBoys - it only cost me $12+tax, and now she starts like a top every time!

For those wondering where it is located, here is a shot (it's the blue relay):

Jack

[Q45tech]

That has to be one of the rustiest most corroded Q I've seen in Georgia. Even valve cover bolts?SALT UGH. Somebody didn't wash it very often.

[Lifted79CJ7]

Yeah, it spent a few years up in Chicago in the land of snow and salt - yuck! Now I am trying to rid this car of all that rust - poor little Q...

[96Qowner]

Wow. Great job. The MacGyver thing you did to get the bolt out is ingenious!

Great job seriously. The pics are great. You're quite handy with MS Paint. It made me laugh.

X2!!! I actually laughed out loud at that crazy series of tools!

Thanks for the added pics and advice - it'll help others in the future.

[sdkhalsa]

I am curious to hear from Q45tech what is the approved method of getting at these starter bolts or maybe he came up with his own approach. As I recall, the FSM does not provide any details about how to proceed. Is there some sort of weird factory tool to make this happen; and if so, maybe Q45tech could thrown in a picture of it:?