BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Like Brettus said, get a 1/2" 6 point 14mm impact socket and extension, no adapters, as short as possible.
If you can't get it straight on, try to get a wobble extension, you lose a lot of torque with a swivel.
The shorter, the better.

neXib

My car has been oil treated underneath so the bolts aren't rusted badly, but I had a bitch of a time with these bolts myself, they are 10 years old afterall. I ended up soaking them in CRC 5-56 (PB Blaster like liquid) and leaving it for next day. When I came back the next day and used a breaker bar they came loose with a bang. I didn't have much space either, but just lie down sideways so you have your entire body as leverage on it.

Did the same thing on my midpipe swap this weekend, let it soak overnight. They all came off somewhat easily (which can't be said about the bitch of a wire harness connector)

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Moved to Troubleshooting, I don't see a set of DIY instructions here to warrant keeping it in the DIY section.

zendrums

iTrader: (2)

I had problems with these bolts, too. Couldn't get my car up high enough to use a breaker bar either. I ended up just interlocking 2 wrenches and applying as much force as possible.

Wrench Tips #7 - The Box-End Breaker Bar

Use the size you need + the biggest wrench possible as the extension.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Any luck?

BigMikeATL

I went to a couple auto part stores but they don't loan out impact wrenches.

Tonight, i'm going to try tapping the bolts with a hammer and see if they break loose. If that fails, a co-worker is going to let me borrow an impact wrench.

I'll keep you posted...

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

How many miles/winters are on this car, the torque spec on a starter is not that much that it should be this difficult. I removed mine with a 3/8 drive ratchet.

BigMikeATL

Good question. The car itself is an 04 and it has 150k on the odo, however, I was told that the starter was replaced a couple years ago.

There is no corrosion on the starter or the bolts.

My guess is that it's either older than what the previous owner says or the bolts are over-torqued.

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

You might be getting to the point of drilling and tapping if you cant break these out.

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

impact or 1/2" breaker bar. use a pipe on the bar if you have to. i dont think drilling these out would work. iirc one of the three bolts is very long and not the easiest to get to

Carbon8

iTrader: (4)

Starter has only 2 bolts and yes one is very long, but is secured using a nut through the rear iron.

BigMikeATL

Well, I *finally* managed to break the bolts loose (and there was much rejoicing).

Shocking the bolts with a hammer didn't help, so I caved and picked up an impact wrench. I started with the major problem child (aka the bottom bolt). The first few times I hit the trigger, the wrench emitted some sparks and made a funky noise, as if it was surprised that the bolt was putting up a fight. Alas, the fourth trigger pull was too much for the bolt and it finally decide to give up and break loose.

It took a couple tries on the upper bolt, but it came loose without much fight.

Being an automotive n00b, I appreciate everyone's suggestions. I'm $100 poorer, but now I have an impact wrench in my toolbox and some newfound knowledge!

Slidin8

The impact wrench wouldn't have sparked and made funky noises if you had spent more that a hundred bucks lol

I have all Hilti gear, but it is real pricey. Need it for my job though

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Excellent!
Mine's Porter-Cable. Worth every penny.

200.mph

iTrader: (9)

mine is snap on

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

I've got an older Blue Point and a Snap-on 3/8 clutch driven 60 lb. air ratchet.

BigMikeATL

Mine is just a cheap electric one, but it won't be used all that often, so it should be sufficient for a good long while.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

It did the job, that's what matters.

Poindexter Fat Majesty McBean

I am trying to do my starter myself for the first time and this thread is awesome for insight. Here is my situation: I bought a 95 f150 that was practically beyond repair. So far, New tires, new 1'2 shaft thingy between the two tires and then the long one from front to back. New muffler, new windshield. new breaks. Everything is fixing up sweet as pie. And I get to the starter and it looks like an abused, red-headed step child. The bolts are not only rusted, they are stuck in there but good.

I'm going to try that top bolt from the back and see if there is any luck because the bolts are stripped from the angle I was taking it. I also got the truck up onto the ramps higher, took it from my buddies place that's gravel to my own that is concrete and that makes for a huge difference.

I am concerned about the bolts. If I am to proceed the way my buddies whom have worked on cars their whole lives told me to, I am going to need two new bolts. Is this something that must be done in a shop or am I going to be able to get the new bolts in myself? Sounds like the top would be easy as it goes both ways, but the bottom?

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I don't think many of us at RX8Club have F150s. You might not get much help here about what bolts will or will not fit, or what you will or will not be able to re-insert.

If you can remove the old bolts, then yes, you should be able to get the new bolts back in. If you can't remove the old bolts, you won't get the new bolts in. Sounds obvious, but I don't know of any other way to answer your question.

Poindexter Fat Majesty McBean

well, thanks for trying!

Skycav54

Had starter replaced by garage about 4 years ago. Need new one and when I tried to remove it I discovered that the upper bolt was installed backwards. The bolt head is facing to the rear of the truck. Can get ratchet and socket on it but absolutely no room to get any torque on it. Air wrench wound not fit, no room to use extensions. I can’t figure out how they did it. It’s Saturday and will go in on Monday to figure this out. Asking for input in case I get no help. First posting, this is a quality and helpful group.