Starter motor problems

[rstanway]

Hi

I was helping a friend out last night removing the starter motor from his 1974 elan.

The problem he was having was that it just wasn't starting, Had a quick look at the stater and found it to be very loose. So we thought, best remove it and look at the damage and then go from there.

But how are you ment to get to the top bolt on the starter? I managed to undo it by hand from underneither as it was so loose, but what is the acceptable methord of getting a socket or spanner on it to make sure the new one dosen't have the same fate?

Cheers

Rob

[gjz30075]

A long extension with a U joint does it for me.

Greg Z

[rgh0]

My 30 cm extension plus the 15 cm extension plus the 8 cm extension plus uni joint plus socket brings the ratchet handle to just in front of the carbs and you can easily undo the top bolt. Putting the top bolt back in is a challenge but once started tightening is easy.

Rohan

[rstanway]

Cheers for the help. Now I come to think of it my socket set dose not include a universal joint, so i've just ordered one.

Thanks

Rob

[alaric]

Just a word of warning in case you've not come across this, but if you find you can't tighten up the bolts again the threads may be stripped; may explain why the starter was loose. I've fitted helical inserts into mine to avoid this happening again. When I bought the car there was a nut on the end of the top bolt to allow it to be tightened up...

Sean.