Starter Removal - Help!

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Sep 25, 2012 | 02:35 PM

berick

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 754

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From: AB,Can

Starter Removal - Help!

I am flushing my coolant system today and installing the Fumoto drain plugs on the engine block. I got 2 bolts off the starter from underneath the truck but there is a tricky little bugger up top and I can't get a socket or wrench on it for the life of me. Is there a trick to get that sucker out of there?

Sep 25, 2012 | 03:02 PM

IslandSchool

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 41

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From: South Caicos

On my E350 5.4L Gas I've had the same issue but I've never had to pull the starter on the 6.0L yet.

I used the following and it worked to get it tight and loose but there was a lot (and I mean a lot) of hand tightening and loosening 1/8 a turn at a time.

Socket > long wobble extension > short extension > ratchet

I think I used a universal joint for part of it but got so fed up I took it off.

Sep 25, 2012 | 03:04 PM

bismic

Fleet Owner

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 27,881

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Use a 13mm, 6 point medium length socket with a 6" or 7" extension. It does help to use a wobble socket with the extension and an air ratchet. Remember to disconnect the battery first.

Sep 25, 2012 | 04:34 PM

berick

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 754

Likes: 2

From: AB,Can

Got it.... Note to self: buy a wobble extension!

What a giant pain in the a$$ without it. Gonna take a few says for these knuckles to heal. Wow!

Sep 25, 2012 | 04:50 PM

bismic

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Joined: Nov 2003

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Glad you got it! A good set of wobble sockets are fantastic to have. If you don't use them enough to justify it, then a set of wobble extensions will do.

Sep 25, 2012 | 05:20 PM

berick

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 754

Likes: 2

From: AB,Can

I chuckled reading thru the process in the tech folder... Says the techs do this job in 4.5 hours (or charge 4.5 hours). I have about 3 hours in and I still haven't done my first flush yet! Of course I had to take a few cool-down moments when I was pulling the starter.