Has anyone greased their starter and if so is it an easy procedure? I read the how to on www.motorvate.ca, but I want to ask some of you guys. The stealership wants $350 for replacing it w/ a rebuilt starter. I would like to try to grease it myself if it's not that difficult. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

I've done it, but my starter died a few weeks later.

AutoZone or any other parts place typically have some for half that price after the core return w/ a lifetime warranty.

 

I did mine a couple years ago and it's still going strong at 160K. It's easy to do. Just two bolts and the cables.

 

Hey, are the bolts hard to remove and is there anything you need to be careful of as far as putting it back on? I was thinking the teeth had to match up with the flywheel, but maybe that's not anything involving the actual motor assembly. Thanks.

 

I might try that option. Thanks.

 

You do not need to align the teeth.

As far as the difficulty removing the bolts, that could mean 2 things, their torque(easy to do with a breaker bar) or their location (not hard to access once the intake tubing has been removed.

 

Yep, I was referring to the actual torque. I will get a breaker bar. Thanks for the advice.

 

If you have time, try to regrease it first. I would rather regrease than getting an unknown rebuilt. Don't forget to get electrical cleaner and clean the brush. I regreased mine two years ago. So far so good. Only the grease was dried up. The rest of the starter was in perfect condition.

One of the two bolts was tough to remove. Could be up to 150 - 200 ft-lb. When I put the starter back, I only torqued it to 70 ft-lb. Clearancewise, it was easy job. Take out the battery to make it even easier.

 

agreed, i just had my starter out. Took the breather off and it was just right there.

I need to regrease mine too so I think i'm gonna do that this weekend.

 

[QUOTE=UncleMax98]If you have time, try to regrease it first. I would rather regrease than getting an unknown rebuilt. Don't forget to get electrical cleaner and clean the brush. I regreased mine two years ago. So far so good. Only the grease was dried up. The rest of the starter was in perfect condition.

When you say brush, are you referring to the motor itself? I didn't even think about that.

 

I was refering to the two brushes inside the starter that conduct power to the starter rotor. There were a lot of black dust in my starter. Not sure if they interfere, but cleaning them out can't hurt.

 

i had to replace my starter with a duralast starter from autozone.the solenoid didn't fit my car so i had to pop in the one from the stock starter.


on a sidenote:

if your car has an ABS system...this procedure will be a bit more difficult.

 

I took mine out, cleaned it with throttle body cleaner to remove all the old grease, and then re-greased it with a moderat amount of teflon grease. The grinding sound at start up as vanished and no problems since the re-grease. The bolts were not terribly difficult to remove. I used a normal 3/8 inch socket once the intake was removed. Clean your TB while you're at it since it will be removed anyway.