Engine is dragging and can't get it started. Feel pretty sure the starter has gone bad. I had it rebuilt 10 years ago, but use the truck only occassionaly. Question is: anyone have any good ideas how to get that #@$% thing off? I can't get my hand up to the side to get a socket on that top bolt. I'm laying on my back and just don't seem to have the ability to reach in/up there. I wondering if took that rubber tire guard inside the fender if it's possible to get to the top bolt from the side. BTW, just put 2 new batteries in it. Any help/ideas appreciated. 'bout to lose my religion with this. Bill

 

you don't reach up there to get it off.that's the key.you simply use the correct length socket and extension(s) so that your ratchet just clears the rear of the starter (without hitting the frame of course) and then it's easy peasy.
once the bolt is loose,you must avoid trapping your ratchet up against the frame by first removing the ratchet when it still clears and use your fingers on the extension(s) to turn it out the rest of the way.
when placing the bolt back in with a new/reman starter you can fish it up in with the socket and extension(s) then using your other hand,feel and kinda help guide the bolt into the hole using a finger or two,then turn the extensions in then snug up once the ratchet fits between starter end and frame again.
if you don't find the correct combo........it's all over before you begin.don't even bother until you source the correct tools.

if you appear to have the correct length socket/extension combo that would just clear the rear of the starter but it simply doesn't line up on the bolt,then that means the wire is in the way.disconnect it from the battery first (as you will be doing anyway) and just unbolt the wire from the starter and get it out of the way first.

 

Thanks, yes that's how I've tried to tackle it. I just can't seem to get the socket on to the bolt....kind of 'wiggly' with the long extension. I think it's about at the 11 o'clock position and am using a 1/2" deep socket. Maybe the bolt's 'buggered'....or am I using the wrong size. Maybe I just don't have the right combination of patience and dexterity anymore!

 

I just changed my starter Friday and used a 1/4" rachet and two shorter extensions to get to the top one. I forget which size the bolt head is but I remember a metric socket went on the tightest. 12 or 13mm or something like that. I used a short socket because a deep one would make contact with the starter case. I stuck the rachet between the frame and starter with the handle pointing to the sky to get the top bolt out. It was an original starter and about 2" longer than the replacement I put in so wiggling it out took a few minutes. My new starter cranks about 50% faster now.

 

Thanks! Definitely worth a try. Fact is, I had pulled this thing out 10 yrs ago, just can't remember what worked.

 

Harbor Freight has wobble extensions. They provide limited swivel but sometimes are just the ticket.