Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Starter removal wrenches heads up!

[BK]

just had mine in and out for the 2nd time.
first time was to get to the crank sensor.
this time... contacts NG , got a set of the Larry B contacts from Geno's.
1hr in and out, contacts replaced.

I find the "Gear Wrenches" indispensable, and the short ones too. The short ones make short work of putting all the hardware back in to fair tightness on the starter.

As the OP, I too find, the top bolt with 3feet of extension and UJoint , 3/8 driver and such... to get the top bolt out.

To tighten up all three starter mounting bolts I find the sears set of extra long combo wrenches the best... they call them the "Cross Force" combo wrench. can get them with the 12pnt box on the end.
The 10mm is perfect size and can get all three nice and tight. Long enough, but not too long. It fits in the confined area between the frame rail top bolt. .
And can almost get the top bolt off with it... but I worry about twisting and stripping the head of the top bolt, so I resort to the method from up top so I can see what I'm doing.
If I could get two hands up there, to feel the contact of the box to bolt end I could get it off.

 

[badgolfer]

Has anyone installed a starter kit while the starter is still in the truck ?? Can this be done easier than removing the started ?









1997 5 speed 4x2 Ram

 

[BigPapa]

Has anyone installed a starter kit while the starter is still in the truck ?? Can this be done easier than removing the started ?

It could probably be done, but I wouldn't suggest trying it. You can have the starter off in 15 minutes or less, especially on that RWD.

 

[badgolfer]

Thanks Big Papa, guess I'll be taking it out and do the job the easy way ! Badgolfer




1997 4x2 Ram

 

[BigPapa]

Remove BOTH the negative battery cables first. Then the solenoid wire and the battery cable from the starter. For the top bolt I use my 12-point, 3/8" drive, 10mm socket, a couple of extensions (I think the 6" and the 3"), a ratchet, and sometimes a cheater pipe. You want the extensions just long enough for the ratchet to clear the end of the starter. The 2 bolts on the lower side of the starter are no problem and are actually easier to remove with a box end wrench.

You'll have no problem. Don't lose the ball under the plunger spring and pay attention to which post on the starter the short cable bolts to. I was in too big a hurry and put mine on the wrong one, put the starter back on and then had to pull it back off to correct.

 

[jdross440]

When I upgraded to the 13" clutch it came with the spacer for the starter and longer bolts with allen wrench heads. I use an allen wrench for one of bolts and a socket that has a built in allen for the others. A cheater on the allen or ratchet breaks them loose easy.

 

[klcammie]

I like your way easy and quick.

For a 2000 and 2001 I took a 10mm 12 point Combo wrench and Ground the open end off

Then use a 12" long pipe nipple as a cheater, works well on the 24 valve.