5-speed S3 starter removal
06-24-2017, 12:05 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
5-speed S3 starter removal
Is there some trick to getting the upper mounting bolt for the starter out? The clutch slave hard line blocks it very effectively. Can I just unmount the bracket for the clutch line and push it out of the way, or is that likely to damage the hard line? Every description I've found of removing the starter makes it sound dead simple, so this really surprised me. I'd hate to remove the clutch line, as I just painstakingly bled everything to perfection about 200 miles ago. 
06-24-2017, 12:41 AM
#2
Chronic Tool Dropper
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I don't have a 5-speed so no clutch line to look at. But from memory... I'd remove the little bracket and make enough adjustment to get the loooong Allen wrench up there for the top starter bolt. If there isn't enough access that way, pull the slave cylinder and leave all the plumbing connected intact so no need to re-bleed.
06-24-2017, 05:56 AM
#3
Rennlist Member
One trick is to use a cut off wheel to whack off about an inch of an 8mm allen wrench.
That piece, chucked into an 8mm gear wrench ..... makes a good tool.
That piece, chucked into an 8mm gear wrench ..... makes a good tool.
06-24-2017, 09:04 AM
#4
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Yes, you can unbolt the bracket for the clutch-slave hard line to get some wiggle room.
Yes, you will need to make at least one special tool. I have a cut-down Alan wrench for breaking the bolt loose and the tip of a ball-end Alan bit glued into a cheap 8mm socket.
Yes, you will need to make at least one special tool. I have a cut-down Alan wrench for breaking the bolt loose and the tip of a ball-end Alan bit glued into a cheap 8mm socket.
06-24-2017, 01:09 PM
#5
Racer
Thread Starter
OK Yeah, I'm finding just the width of the starter makes it impossible to get my allen socket in either bolt. And my allen wrenches are too flimsy. Special tool it is, then. Ah, the joys of supercar ownership.
06-24-2017, 01:54 PM
#6
06-24-2017, 11:40 PM
#7
Racer
Thread Starter
Hmm... OK so I got the bolts out by pulling the clutch slave and using a regular allen wrench.
The starter is still stuck, though. There's only two bolts, right? I assumed I would have to pull it straight forward forward to disengage the teeth, but it doesn't budge forward at all. Gently prying with a screwdriver I can see it flex a tiny bit. Not using a huge amount of force, since I don't want to damage the aluminum bell housing. Doesn't appear to be hanging up on anything external. Stumped.
The starter works just fine, BTW. Just trying to get my oil pan off.
The starter is still stuck, though. There's only two bolts, right? I assumed I would have to pull it straight forward forward to disengage the teeth, but it doesn't budge forward at all. Gently prying with a screwdriver I can see it flex a tiny bit. Not using a huge amount of force, since I don't want to damage the aluminum bell housing. Doesn't appear to be hanging up on anything external. Stumped.
The starter works just fine, BTW. Just trying to get my oil pan off.
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06-25-2017, 12:57 AM
#8
Team Owner
put the bolts back in 2 turns from tight,
then hit the starter at its forward tip with a dead blow hammer,
this will break it free,
the bolts will keep it from crashing to the floor.
NOTE dont use the ball end allen to break the bolts loose only use it for screwing them in or out.
NOTE get a Greg Brown slave hose this will replace the factory hard line over the starter and the flex line from the sway bar mount to the oil pan
then hit the starter at its forward tip with a dead blow hammer,
this will break it free,
the bolts will keep it from crashing to the floor.
NOTE dont use the ball end allen to break the bolts loose only use it for screwing them in or out.
NOTE get a Greg Brown slave hose this will replace the factory hard line over the starter and the flex line from the sway bar mount to the oil pan
06-25-2017, 01:27 AM
#9
Racer
Thread Starter
Worked! Thanks for all the help, everyone. Don't tell my girlfriend, but I just put a pillow in a plastic bag and caught it with that. Seems the hammering compresses whatever crud is holding the thing on and forces it to dump all over your nice clean pillow.
Yeah, that pic of the ball end intrigued me, but stripping was my first thought. Would be handy for spinning the bolt out though. I had to do it 3 degrees at a time until my wrists were sore.
Yeah, that pic of the ball end intrigued me, but stripping was my first thought. Would be handy for spinning the bolt out though. I had to do it 3 degrees at a time until my wrists were sore.