964Patrick

Hi, I've just ordered a new Bosch starter for my car. Got a good deal on it.

I'm thinking of doing the replacement myself, but I wanted to check with you guys before I get in over my head. My diy experience is not that great. I've read the howto on John's website (http://www.porsche964.co.uk/technical/starter.htm) and it looks doable to me. How hard can it be to undo/do some screws right? (famous last words... )

I dont have a bridge but there is a place here where I can rent one. Or will just jack stands suffice?

So... should I try this myself and save $$$ or leave it to the pro and rest assured it's done properly? Recipe for disaster perhaps? Someone please talk some sense in to me

Thanks!

Patrick

Geoffrey

As long as the bolts aren't frozen it should be straight forward and you can do it on jack stands. Hey, I built my entire car on jack stands.

You may need an assortment of extensions to get enough leverage on the bolts. Don't forget that the upper one is one of 4 bolts that hold the engine and transmission together, so you'll want to torque it properly. Don't forget to remove the small 10mm starter wire.

Wachuko

In addition to what Geoffrey said..

Jack it up securely, take the wheel out, have a new heater house available, be as patient as heck because that upper bolt will test all your skills... a royal pita to put that bolt back...

Check the positive cable, I replaced my starter thinking it was bad and it was the positive cable that the wires on the terminal were mostly broken (terminal held only by a few threads)...

But it can be done at home....

964Patrick

Hi Geoffrey,

Unfortunately I don't have a torque wrench - should I have one for the upper bolt (or others)? I don't know what the torque values are. Will torqing it down tight by hand suffice?

Thanks, this is very helpful.

Patrick

dfinnegan

I'm curious, if that upper bolt is so difficult to get back in how do you get a torque wrench onto it?

964Patrick

Ah, euhm, well....er... ok. Well that probably shows how much technical work i do on my car ...hence the probably silly questions.. sorry

Still I feel strengthened by the replies to actually undertake this job. If the complexity is mostly fighting with bolts for a day and don't need special tools I guess I should manage...

Wachuko

I didn’t... I just tighten that sucker until I could see the housing on the other end getting pushed by the bolt, LOL.

What I meant to say is that I did it by gut feel…

CraigC

A few days ago there was a lot of discussion about replacing a starter on the 993 page. You may want to read. Here is the link: https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...hlight=starter

CraigyB

FWIW, I failed on stand on my 1990 c4, just too tight and not enough space in there. It's a lot easier in the c2 I understand..

JasonAndreas

If you lower the engine 2-3" it makes all the difference in the world when trying to replace the starter and obviously the same applies when replacing the clutch slave cylinder.

garrett376

A C2 is a LOT easier than a C4! I had to lower the engine to get the upper bolt on there on the C4's - it's not a fun job with the engine fully installed; I don't know if it's possible on a C4 - not at least with my hands!!!

Wachuko

It is possible. Mine is a C4. A heater hose was the only part sacrificed during the change. No other animals were injured.

You can do it, just need a lot of patience, and a few tools. Go for it!

Wachuko

Not sure if you have seen this:

http://www.porsche964.co.uk/technical/starter.htm