The starter bolt - what's the secret?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by kevin smith, Apr 4, 2020.

  1. Good morning all

    What's the secret to getting the starter bolt that is behind the bulkhead (not even sure this is the correct terminology lol)?

    I got it off nearly broke my wrist lol and then got it back on but had to tape the nut to my fingers and i am almost cetain there must be an easier way that this newbie doesn't know

    any (sensible lol) suggestions / advice gratefully recieved

    as i said i got the starter off the solenoid changed and starter back on but i'm sure i went about it all wrong

    Cheers
     
  2. Moons

    Moons Supporter

    Oh god....you said sensible suggestions....
     
    Jack Tatty likes this.
  3. Was hoping for at least some sensible suggestions quite confident i will get a bit of stick but if i get an education i can take the stick
     
  4. Unfortunately there is no easy way to do this.... it’s a long, tight reach around the fan housing to get the nut started then use a 17mm ratchet spanner to do it up.... It gets easier after the fifteenth time! :thumbsup:
     
  5. OH NO................... don't tell me that wrestling match was the correct way to do it lol

    I was hoping for a miracle cure
     
    Moons likes this.
  6. As above......
    But get someone to get under and hold the bolt until you have the nut on the threads.
    Long skinny and bendable arms help...
     
  7. Imagine if you were left handed :eek:
     
  8. i actually had the nut taped to my fingers my mate underneath we got a couple of turns on it then a 17mm ratchet spanner lol at one stage was considering cutting a hole above it lol
     
  9. Save up all your best swear words for this job and for when you have to put the foam seal in past the oil cooler :thumbsup:
     
  10. There were some choice words being used trust me, but kept thinking there must be an easy way because "nobody would design this like this" obviously wrong lol

    foam seal past the oil cooler - tell me more
     
  11. The oil cooler on a type 1 engine has a housing that sits behind the fan, it is nigh on impossible to get the foam seal that surrounds the engine past it to get it back in & seated correctly .... I can’t do it so rue the day I ever have to take it out again!
     
  12. Put a type4 engine in instead, no fan housing
     
  13. The foam seal that goes round the engine tin to seal it against the van. Horrible job.

    Out of interest, how are people managing to do the starter bolt up with a non-original starter motor? I have a WOSP one and there is nothing for the half moon to lock against. Was considering welding a cut washer to the bolt head to lock it, but wonder if anyone has a more elegant solution?
     
  14. Dubs

    Dubs Sponsor supporter extraordinaire

    It's a doddle once you have done a few! I have no mates, so just wrap a bit of masking tap round the bolt near the head end to hold it still, then balance the nut on your finger tip, and spin it with one of your other fingers. Takes seconds.

    It helps if you clean the threads to death before you start, so the nut glides down with no resistance. :thumbsup:
     
    nicktuft, Zed and matty like this.
  15. Sproggy4830

    Sproggy4830 Supporter

    When I do it , I tend to get under the van and reach up to the bolt with my hand and put a finger on the bolt head , mean while I get my daughter who is much younger and smaller than me , contorts herself into the engine bay with a long rings spanner and she manages to open it generally first time.
    When putting it back in I put some tape around the bolt and hammer it back into the hole so it's a tightish fit . That stops it pushing back out of the hole when replacing the nut , either that or stay underneath van and hold it in place.
    That's my sensible answer
     
  16. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    A piece of rubber hose wedged against the bolt head in the recess on top of the starter.
    That holds it in. And the hose stays there quite happily..

    Then just put nut and washer on now solid threads using an alien thin arm not a Popeye muscled one..
    Use one of those 17mm ratchet ring spanners. Which appear every year in the Middle of Lidl annual cycle..

    For those whose D nuts dont work because they have broken faith and have new starters. Just weld something to the head so it jams against the starter like the D would have done.
     
  17. matty

    matty Supporter

    this is the way I do it
     
    Dubs likes this.
  18. like that idea with the tape on the bolt

    honestly thought i was missing a trick somewhere along the line but NO it's a pain of a job lol

    As i said i got it done and will do it again but was just hopeful there was an easier way
     
  19. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    It's one of those nuts where you can lean on the spanner to tighten it but it's impossible to get the same force into undoing it....so don't do it up so tight. :thumbsup:

    As Dubs says, piece of cake getting nut on. I use lateral force on the washer to jam it into the threads which stops it sliding back through while placing and spinning the nut on, all one handed and blind. You don't need to hunt for your tape, put too much on, take some off, put a bit back... Not difficult if you dive far enough into the engine bay to get your arm comfortably round the corner.
     
    snotty likes this.
  20. ^this. Jam the threads with the washer. Gets easier with practice. Ratchet spanner best.
     

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