Noisy Starter

[Finly Owner]

if you go to your local kennards hire store you can hire a transmission jack to help with removal of box, especially if you're doing it by self.

[benno_84]

Yeah Wee Waa is a long way from anywhere really, and not really on the way to anywhere either. But hey thats why I love it!

Thanks anyway Tony, I really do appreciate the advice. I think I will just keep an eye on it and if it gets any worse (more frequent) I will jack her up in the shed and hook into it with a few mates over a few weekends.

Lloyd

[benno_84]

Finly Owner,

Thanks for the good advice. I hadn't thought of that, there are a few mechanics I know well who may even have one I can borrow for a weekend. I guess the hardest bit is actually getting the gearbox out given that it is so heavy and awkward. The truck has a pretty good lift kit in it so at least that gives us a little more clearance to work with.

I had a yarn to my brother in law who has done a heap of clutches on hilux's and cruisers and he said he would be happy to come up for a few days and help out, so that might be the way to go. Always handy to have good mates with a bit of know how.

[YNOT]

Plassy, I have seen the method you talk of where the firewall gets 'massaged'. The reason people use that method is they have not removed the transfer case. When you rotate the GB to get the transfer away from the floor of the car, you also rotate the starter motor boss in the bell housing up towards the firewall. This is where the massaging occurs. Consider taking the transfer case off if you don't like the sound of this method. It will also make the GB about 50kg lighter.

Another method I've seen is using an engine lift crane with the boom in through an open front door, with a chain around the GB.

You are correct about loosening the engine mounts, but you also need to unbolt the exhaust at the bottom of the manifold (or extractors if you have them). But don't forget to supprt the engine as it will not support itself once everything is loose.

Benno, having a decent suspension lift can make it easier, you may not even need to jack the car up. I've seen up to 6 people under a Patrol trying to get a GB out! Make sure the trolley jacks you use will go high enough.

If it was my car I would seriously consider pulling the engine instead, especially being a basic TD42. Personal preference.

Tony

[Finly Owner]

If you look for a transmission jack check the height you need to go too, and make sure the tranny jack goes that high. These can lift , hold, lower, spin and tilt gera box. Use chains to anchor box to jack.

[benno_84]

Hi Guys,

Sorry its been so long! I finally got around to having a look at that starter, I climbed underneath the rig trying to work out the best way to get it off and low and behold when I went to touch the starter body the whole thing was hanging loose. An inspection from the top revealed that the top mounting bolt had completely fallen of!, so basically I think the bolts have gradually been loosening off and thats why the car has had increased trouble starting. What I am wondering is if anyone knows the dimensions of the top mounting bolt (length, pitch and diameter). I had a look in the workshop manual that I have and unfortunately it doesn't give dimensions. At this stage I am trying to avoid pulling the whole starter out as I don't want to have to remove the filters just yet......figure If it goes okay I will wait until the next oil change and then have a look.

Anyway if anyone knows those dimension or where I could get them that would be greatly appreciated.

Lloyd

[YNOT]

It should be the same as the bottom bolt, so pull it out and get a bolt shop to match it. This is going to be a bit difficult if the Patrol is your only way to get to a bolt shop! Sorry, can't help with dimensions.

Tony

[benno_84]

Well after a heap of fiddling about with a spanner and socket I got one of the bolts out of the starter and headed down to get the shop to match it. Bolted everything back on and tightened it up and sure enough the truck starts perfectly! So after all that thinking the fix was only $2.00 and about 15minutes worth of work. It just goes to show that the old KISS principle is well worth taking note of. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this post, If I had needed to replace the ring gear it would have been very helpful.

Lloyd