Hi All,

I am desperately trying to remove the top bolt from my fabia starter motor, but it is beating me..

The top bolt is pretty rounded and as far as a I can see very tight.. There is no room to get a socket on it because of the gear linkage. Im using an 18mm open spanner, but it wont get close, there are so many pipes etc in the way making the access difficult.

Can I take the linkage arm off using the nut on the top right of the picture, or is that going to cause problems (i.e. is it set there in a particular adjustment range).

Any offers of a tip on how to get this off greatly appreciated!!!

swan neck spanner ?

First, you may need some dismantling fluid such as PlusGas (WD40 is a Water Dispersant). Penetrating fluid is OK. The bolts were tightened to 65Nm so they will be tight.

Now the bolt is rounded, you may need a 6-point socket. Put the socket on a long extension bar so your ratchet/torque wrench is off the right of your picture.

You will be dropping the starter out the bottom.

thanks for the suggestion - I cant get a socket anywhere near it as the linkage is in the way - even with a bar on the socket, it is simply too enclosed..

Can the linkage come off, or is that dangerous ground?

Cheers

thanks for the suggestion - I cant get a socket anywhere near it as the linkage is in the way - even with a bar on the socket, it is simply too enclosed..

Can the linkage come off, or is that dangerous ground?

Cheers

Have you put the car in the gear that gives you the most clearance?

I will give it another go - is this the standard way people get the motor off or am I making this morning complicated than it needs be!?

I will give it another go - is this the standard way people get the motor off or am I making this morning complicated than it needs be!?

The only time I've ever had a problem getting one out is when someone had used red loctite on the bolts. The selector needs to be in the correct position to get the bolt out. Depending on the tools you have, you may need to LOOSEN the selector on the spline, but you shouldn't have to completely remove the selector.

To install the starter, you need to torque the bolt to 65Nm so using a spanner isn't an option. It'll take more than that to get it out. IIRC, I just use a standard depth 3/8" drive socket on a extension bar. You need to ensure you don't round it any more.