So my starter motor needs replacing.
First of all just in case I'm being really stupid, this is the starter motor right?
http://i.imgur.com/SJNrn0hl.jpg
From some research and looking in the manual it seems there are two bolts (which point the same direction) to undo like this
http://i.imgur.com/pREzVQW.jpg
However when I have a look it seems like there is just one bolt like this
http://i.imgur.com/OyocPHjl.jpg
and the other bolt is put in from the other side like this
http://i.imgur.com/AzK8Ea0l.jpg

These are the right bolts aren't they or am I looking in the wrong place?
If so why are they different ways and different to the manual?
You've all been very helpful in the past, hopefully you can sort this problem for me too. Thanks

Though I can't help with your questions, I can tell you that oil leaking on starter motors on these cars is a main cause of them failing.
If you haven't already fixed your oil leak (which is probably what caused your started motor to fail) you should do so before installing a new starter motor.

Though I can't help with your questions, I can tell you that oil leaking on starter motors on these cars is a main cause of them failing.
If you haven't already fixed your oil leak (which is probably what caused your started motor to fail) you should do so before installing a new starter motor.

Oh yeah I'm aware its a pretty bad leak, the rocker covers need doing, I'm planning to do them soon.

Pics are not from a V6 for starters,

There are 2 bolts, one faces one way the other the opposite way

Disc batter, remove 2 cables from starter, undo 2 retaining bolts and install new unit

and just to add to this, some people do it, some dont, i know i do.....disconnect the battery before attempting this job, as you can see that wire with the red protective sock over it, its red for a reason, its a constant live wire

Yeah, two bolts. The bottom one is obvious but the top one is hard to see. It comes in from the opposite direction. And as has been said, remove the positive battery cable.

Pics are not from a V6 for starters,

There are 2 bolts, one faces one way the other the opposite way

Disc batter, remove 2 cables from starter, undo 2 retaining bolts and install new unit

Ah I see, well that clears that up, thank a lot madmagna :)


and just to add to this, some people do it, some dont, i know i do.....disconnect the battery before attempting this job, as you can see that wire with the red protective sock over it, its red for a reason, its a constant live wire


Yeah, two bolts. The bottom one is obvious but the top one is hard to see. It comes in from the opposite direction. And as has been said, remove the positive battery cable.

I'll make sure to disconnect the battery first. The wires connected to the starter motor, how do I disconnect those, just pull or do they clip on somehow?

The thin one just pulls off. The big one, you have to undo the nut.

Remove the tin plate first. Its held by a nut at one end and a couple of screws at the other.

When reinstalling the plate make sure it can't short out on the battery cable.

The thin one just pulls off. The big one, you have to undo the nut.

Remove the tin plate first. Its held by a nut at one end and a couple of screws at the other.

When reinstalling the plate make sure it can't short out on the battery cable.

Thanks. By the tin plate do you mean the heat shield kind of thing attached to the starter motor?

you dont have to remove the heat shield to remove the starter motor, take the positive lead off the battery, go under the car and remove the 2 wires on the starter motor, the wire with the red protective soc on it is a nut 12mm socket or spanner i think, the other wire clips in, you will feel a little recess on the plug, press it in and pull it off, 2 bolts to undo after that, both facing in opposite directions, get the one on the starter motor side first while your under there, the other bolt is gearbox side, now automatic gearbox is a little tricky to get to the bolt, a manual gearbox is easy, then pull the starter motor towards you from underneath the car.

you dont have to remove the heat shield to remove the starter motor, take the positive lead off the battery, go under the car and remove the 2 wires on the starter motor, the wire with the red protective soc on it is a nut 12mm socket or spanner i think, the other wire clips in, you will feel a little recess on the plug, press it in and pull it off, 2 bolts to undo after that, both facing in opposite directions, get the one on the starter motor side first while your under there, the other bolt is gearbox side, now automatic gearbox is a little tricky to get to the bolt, a manual gearbox is easy, then pull the starter motor towards you from underneath the car.

So the two wires were easy to get off. The bottom bolt took a bit of work but I got it off eventually, and then there is the top bolt which is still in there cause I couldn't get it out.
Any tips or tricks for this? My 1/2" ratchet with an extension was too big to fit in, without the extension it wouldn't reach. Only my 1/4" ratchet with an extension would fit in but I just couldn't get enough leverage to get it off, it was stuck in.
I'll look for a slightly shorter extension but does anyone have any tricks for getting this bolt out?

Patience and determination. Lol.
I always take the hard to reach bolt off first. Having taken the easy one off first you will find the weight of the starter will apply pressure to the hard to reach one making it harder to remove.
Once you have cracked the hard to reach bolt hold the starter motor up a bit to take the weight off and it should be a bit easier.

Patience and determination. Lol.
I always take the hard to reach bolt off first. Having taken the easy one off first you will find the weight of the starter will apply pressure to the hard to reach one making it harder to remove.
Once you have cracked the hard to reach bolt hold the starter motor up a bit to take the weight off and it should be a bit easier.

I haven't actually taken the bolt out, I just broke it free so hopefully the other one won't get any tighter. What tool did you use to get the hard to reach one? As I said with my 1/2" ratchet it won't fit with the extension but it won't reach either without an extension, so I'm thinking if I get a deep socket piece that may be the perfect fit then I can actually use it and try get the leverage I need that I couldn't get from my small 1/4".

Have you tried a ring spanner? If you don't have any buy some. Makes life so much easier....

Just use a 14mm 6 point deep or tube socket on the top one, a ring spanner on the bottom one.

Have you tried a ring spanner? If you don't have any buy some. Makes life so much easier....


Just use a 14mm 6 point deep or tube socket on the top one, a ring spanner on the bottom one.

I got this sorted yesterday morning and swapped out the old one for my new one. I bought a breaker bar from supercheap and that did the trick. Thanks for the help guys, once again you've solved another of my problems