Fuck Starters.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Seriously, there is NO easy way to replace a starter. How does the dealer do it? If there's a special tool, someone had BETTER let me know. I've never seen nor heard of one.

After running into a starting issue in the silver car going to Dave, I found that the starter needed replacing. No big deal - I don't mind.

This shit SUCKS. Even with my midget sized hands I couldn't hold the e bolt on the backside from spinning. Took all four of us a good couple hours - but hey, at least now it's out.

I hate hate hate hate hate fucking starters. For real.

Anyways - Dave, now you get a replacement starter with our little shindig here. Much, much thanks to Mark (wastedincome420) for not only stopping by, but staying for 4+ hours and being instrumental in getting the little slutbag out.

Also replacing the throttle body - this one was sticky, and I had an extra kicking around.

Now I've just got the t-belt and water pump to finish up, and a valve adjustment. So worth it though...so worth it ;)

[Skafrog]

there is a type of bmw nut that has a spinning washer on the end of it. You can hold them with your fingers until they tighten, then friction takes over and holds them. Wonderful.
I wont give you the line of "that's easy", at least you got it done. Next time, a bad starter means its time for an m50 swap.

[Ryan Stewart]

I removed the intake manifold and lowered the tranny and it was cake, I have an S50 though (if that matters).

[Bimmerfanatik]

there is a type of bmw nut that has a spinning washer on the end of it. You can hold them with your fingers until they tighten, then friction takes over and holds them. Wonderful.
I wont give you the line of "that's easy", at least you got it done. Next time, a bad starter means its time for an m50 swap.

Yeah, but how to keep that E bolt head on the backside of the tranny from spinning? I finally wedged a large flathead between the bolt head and the bellhousing to keep it from spinning - there has to be a better way. The euro eta had a 17mm head on the rear - it was easier to get a wrench in there to hold that still than a fucking e bolt.

And I love Dave, but I'm not doing an M50 swap on this car and trading him for his cabbie :)

[Bimmerfanatik]

I removed the intake manifold and lowered the tranny and it was cake, I have an S50 though (if that matters).

I was tempted to remove the intake manifold. Though the firewall is still in the way - it would have helped.

[parkerbink]

And I love Dave, but I'm not doing an M50 swap on this car and trading him for his cabbie :)

Oh come on he'll give you REALLY good feedback if you do!

[Bimmerfanatik]

Oh come on he'll give you REALLY good feedback if you do!

Unless feedback = sexual favors from a hot female celebrity...no.

[nando]

I removed the intake manifold and lowered the tranny and it was cake, I have an S50 though (if that matters).

I think it does, removing an M20 intake manifold is a PITA!

[Bimmerfanatik]

I think it does, removing an M20 intake manifold is a PITA!

:stupid:

[Bimmerfanatik]

PS - BEFORE I go and pull one off Jarvis's car (aka do the same job AGAIN) does anyone in the MA/NH area have one lying around? i starter? anyone?

[Digitalwave]

It's easier to use a ton of extensions and use a socket to get the the nuts on the back.

[Bimmerfanatik]

It's easier to use a ton of extensions and use a socket to get the the nuts on the back.

Eh? the one on the top has NO room for a socket to get in there - I could barely get a box end wrench or flathead in there. The heater hoses are all in the way, as is the firewall.

We used a total of like 6 extensions to get the 17mm nut from the front side, but we had to stop the bolt from spinning.

[Digitalwave]

Now that I think about it, we might have used Erick's small hands on the 16mm open end wrench to hold it down from the back.

The details of my tranny swap are one giant blur, so please forgive.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Now that I think about it, we might have used Erick's small hands on the 16mm open end wrench to hold it down from the back.

The details of my tranny swap are one giant blur, so please forgive.

lol - it's all good.

I have tiny hands and it was still a whore.

I just want to know how a dealership does it - without taking forever and cursing a storm.

[DEV0 E30]

Note to self.

With all the work you're doing on all of the E30s you will be able to do all of it blind folded some day.