Help: removing top hex nut on starter

[steve84]

Please help; would greatly appreciate your suggestions for removing the top 10 mm hex nut on the starter in my 1984 911.

Yesterday, I jacked up car and have jack stand on passenger side and removed passenger-side rear wheel. I've disconnected the battery ground, and the two red wires and the yellow wire at the starter. The lower 10 mm hex nut is readily accessible. When I crawl under car with my head facing front, I can touch the top 10 mm hex nut with my fingers on my left hand. I have two 10 mm hex sockets, a standard one about 1.5 inches long with a flat end and an extended one about 3 - 4 inches long with a rounded end. I can engage the top hex nut with the extended hex socket, but am having difficulties with fitting within the cramped space, the further extension(s) and socket wrench need to turn and remove the nut.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks. Steve

[ItzaMe]

Hey steve,

Not sure how different your starter mounting is compared to a 69 911 but my bokt was a also a pita to unbolt.

My suggestion is this: if you have an iPhone or smartphone that has a flash built into the camera, record a video with the flash on and use this as a guide to getting the socket on and backing it out.

I basically was laying in the ground, and watching my pone screen to see what I was doing with my other hand completely around the transmission. Might have to start it with a crescent wrench since there is a notch where the bokt sits in. Slowly but surely.

Good luck!!

[john walker's workshop]

6" allen socket and a fine toothed ratchet, worked from the driver's side of the trans, over the top with your right hand.

[hcoles]

or drop the motor about 3-4 inches and see if that opens things up

[yelcab1]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

6" allen socket and a fine toothed ratchet, worked from the driver's side of the trans, over the top with your right hand.

And a round end allen socket would help.

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

6" allen socket and a fine toothed ratchet, worked from the driver's side of the trans, over the top with your right hand.

If you raise the car and place on jack stands on chassis or T-bar end caps, it will allow the engine to drop just enough to gain access. Easy Peasy

Wear eye protection, lots of debris will fall on your face

[Oh Haha]

A Pelican coined this feat "The Bear Hug" a while ago. When I did mine I understood why.

[DRACO A5OG]

LOL, yeah. I was thinking the same. I am actually hugging her. LOL

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

LOL, yeah. I was thinking the same. I am actually hugging her. LOL

You spend way too much time under your car, it seems...

[steve84]

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. Tonight, I bought a fine tooth ratchet and upon fiddling with it, I see the mechanical benefit it will provide in this application. I checked at Sears and Home Depot, and neither had the 6 inch hex socket. I checked the HF website and they have it, I'll swing by the local HF and see if it's in stock. Thanks again for the helpful suggestions. I'll let you know if I get the starter out. Steve

[88911coupe]

For me I ended up having to do partial drop...MUCH easier when that's done.

[steve84]

John Walker: thanks again for your suggestions. I was able to get the starter out today following your instructions.


I do have another question: is there anything I need to know, or are there any complications, regarding alignment of the gear teeth on the starter and the flywheel, when I install the new starter? Thanks. Steve

[steve84]

Also, I now understand and agree with the other posters' comments about the bear hug.

[blucille]

installation is far easier, just slap it in and attach the wires....glad you discovered the bear hug....done it many times.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

A Pelican coined this feat "The Bear Hug" a while ago. When I did mine I understood why.

I thought of mine as the dirty bear hug. For some reason my transmission get dirty when I drive it. I liked like I had been wrestling a pig when I was done.

[john walker's workshop]

A long sleeve job for sure. It's easier to do lying on a creeper than standing.

[steve84]

Thanks again for all the help. I finally found the time to finish installing the Bosch rebuilt starter and engine started right up.

[jlex]

Originally Posted by steve84

Thanks again for all the help. I finally found the time to finish installing the Bosch rebuilt starter and engine started right up.

Can you post a picture of the socket & ratchet you used for future reference?

[DRACO A5OG]

10MM

[steve84]