Replacing starter on '87 944 NA
 

Any advice on getting the starter off? The bolts will not budge and the old starter was only 2 yrs old so it has been replaced recently.

Very long breaker bar, I'd say.

"Wake" the bolts up with a hammer to the heads of the bolts and then a breaker bar.

Thanks guys!

A good wrench got it off. Check out the pix. Has anyone seen this happen to a starter?http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1436394874.jpg

Snapped the end right off. It's a Bosch SR39X 779 30127. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1436395055.jpg

Practice:

VWVortex.com - DIY Starter Upgrade/Repair/troubleshooting/Replacement (manual tranny)

J_AZ

Porsche crank strong like bull!!!:D Never seen a starter snap like that.

Did it crack when you tried to get it off, or do you think it was already cracked? I would think there needed to be some type of interference to crack that off. Either the starter was installed incorrectly and the housing hit the flywheel, or it got stuck during removal and broke when using the breaker bar.

I've never seen it happen on a 944, but I have seen it happen plenty of times on other vehicles. It usually happens when there's another problem, and it backfires while it's cranking.

Ooooo, if you are missing the aluminum interference sheild for the reference sensor, which I believe started in 1987 when the starter was updated, it can cause misfire during cranking and do this!

ALSO- you will need to purchase the updated sensor bracket as well unless the sheil is just missing (unlikely). I also recommend purchasing two new sensors just incase they break while you are doing this, and also so you can use one to make the imfamous ring gear spacing tool for setting the new bracket.

Explains your need for yet another starter!