Help, starter is stuck

[Frank Wilson]

Double post I know, but its getting dark.

Went to start the 5.4. It startet to crank but I the battery couldnt chooch. ( i think its on its way out. ) so, jumping it, it just clicks.

Tapped it and it still just clicks.

If its stuck engaged , is there a way to rotate the flywheel?

If its the solenoid, whats the contact areas for the screwdriver trick.

Thanks for your help

 

[07navi]

Double post I know, but its getting dark.

Went to start the 5.4. It startet to crank but I the battery couldnt chooch. ( i think its on its way out. ) so, jumping it, it just clicks.

Tapped it and it still just clicks.

If its stuck engaged , is there a way to rotate the flywheel?

If its the solenoid, whats the contact areas for the screwdriver trick.

Thanks for your help

Hit it with a hammer first.

 

[Frank Wilson]

Thanks 07navi.
I already tried that first.

went ahead and bypassed the solenoid.

Its toast.

I turn the harmonic balancer and I could hear the gear click back. But, not enough apparently.

You'd think a starter would last longer than 13 years.

Im a little concerned as to how this thing comes out though.

 

[Frank Wilson]

Oh no, please tell me I dont need to drop the cat for the top bolt.

Cant se how pulling the wheel will help.

 

[JExpedition07]

No you do not but you need two swivels, I replaced my starter in April. You need one long and one shorter extension and 2 swivels at a minimum, I may have used 3 swivels. The bolts are 13mm if memory serves me correct. The bottom two can be done by getting under the truck and doing small turns with a box wrench. I used a box wrench on those two and the swivel crap on the top one. I worked from behind the starter to get the box wrench to work and did small turns. It wasn’t easy.

 

[Frank Wilson]

No you do not but you need two swivels, I replaced my starter in April. You need one long and one shorter extension and 2 swivels at a minimum, I may have used 3 swivels. The bolts are 13mm if memory serves me correct. The bottom two can be done by getting under the truck and doing small turns with a box wrench. I used a box wrench on those two and the swivel crap on the top one. I worked from behind the starter to get the box wrench to work and did small turns. It wasn’t easy.

Thanks for the tip.

I cant even reach the top bolt by hand. Did you pull the tire?

 

[JExpedition07]

Thanks for the tip.

I cant even reach the top bolt by hand. Did you pull the tire?

Yessir, only way to get swivels and socket in there and reach around.

 

[07navi]

Thanks 07navi.
I already tried that first.

went ahead and bypassed the solenoid.

Its toast.

I turn the harmonic balancer and I could hear the gear click back. But, not enough apparently.

You'd think a starter would last longer than 13 years.

Im a little concerned as to how this thing comes out though.

Nah, 13 years is a long time for a starter.

 

[07navi]

There is a Youtube video with a guy that used 2 swivels and the proper extensions to get the top bolt out. There is also a video in there of a guy that took the solenoid apart to gain more access to the top bolt.

 

[Frank Wilson]

There is a Youtube video with a guy that used 2 swivels and the proper extensions to get the top bolt out. There is also a video in there of a guy that took the solenoid apart to gain more access to the top bolt.

Im going to continue shredding my arm on that bolt.

Are you sure its removable. I have a 9 and 10 year old that want to go to the NH house tomorrow and their mother is not around . So tell me, is it really doable? Im willing to sacrifice the core charge and sawzall the damn thing and eliminate that bolt.

 

[Frank Wilson]

I need to get this done. Their mother doesnt live near them and they found 20+ " starters" so far. I need a little help her in Plymouth.

 

[07navi]

Im going to continue shredding my arm on that bolt.

Are you sure its removable. I have a 9 and 10 year old that want to go to the NH house tomorrow and their mother is not around . So tell me, is it really doable? Im willing to sacrifice the core charge and sawzall the damn thing and eliminate that bolt.

You can do it with sockets and extensions or by removing the solenoid first. Having wrenching experience helps and I will probably go the extension route when the time comes.

 

[Frank Wilson]

You can do it with sockets and extensions or by removing the solenoid first. Having wrenching experience helps and I will probably go the extension route when the time comes.

I've been wrenching my entire life, but , this is extreme.

I just took off the solenoid and used a 1/4 ratchet with a 3" extension to break the top bolt. Then had to switch to a 2" extension.

Dropping the starter out was a nightmare. It only comes out one funky way.

Im about to start installing the new one, but , I doubt ill be putting the top bolt back in. Ive read some places that is commonly done.

 

[JExpedition07]

I've been wrenching my entire life, but , this is extreme.

I just took off the solenoid and used a 1/4 ratchet with a 3" extension to break the top bolt. Then had to switch to a 2" extension.

Dropping the starter out was a nightmare. It only comes out one funky way.

Im about to start installing the new one, but , I doubt ill be putting the top bolt back in. Ive read some places that is commonly done.

I never put the top bolt back in mine f*ck that. Just torqued the mid and lower bolts nice and tight. I’ve never had an issue and the starter meshes and engages perfect. Here is the part # I used, for anyone wondering the Ford dealer was actually the best deal for a new starter in my case. It cost me $130 for a Ford reman from West Herr Ford.

 

[Frank Wilson]

Thanks for the confidence in omitting that bolt JExpedition07.

 

[07navi]

I've been wrenching my entire life, but , this is extreme.

I just took off the solenoid and used a 1/4 ratchet with a 3" extension to break the top bolt. Then had to switch to a 2" extension.

Dropping the starter out was a nightmare. It only comes out one funky way.

Im about to start installing the new one, but , I doubt ill be putting the top bolt back in. Ive read some places that is commonly done.

Two funky ways, remove solenoid or use extensions.

 

[07navi]

I never put the top bolt back in mine f*ck that. Just torqued the mid and lower bolts nice and tight. I’ve never had an issue and the starter meshes and engages perfect. Here is the part # I used, for anyone wondering the Ford dealer was actually the best deal for a new starter in my case. It cost me $130 for a Ford reman from West Herr Ford.

View attachment 37970
View attachment 37971

That's about what I paid for all my ford starters too. O'reillys has a lifetime warranty and others probably do also.

 

[Frank Wilson]

I was in a sticky situation. I could wait til this morning and drive 20 minutes to the nearest Ford and probably pay upwards of 350$ for oem, or , get the duralast. I couldnt wait for a shipped one either.

Im not happy putting an aftermarket on, but 178$ before taxes and not being stranded is fine with me.

The sound is so different, and thats the problem with stuff that subtly wears down you dont notice until theyre dead.

 

[JExpedition07]

Ouch, $170 for a Duralast. It’s not $350 for a Ford one, found my bill from April . It was $139 plus core. Anyway glad you got her fixed! Did that include or exclude core?

 

[Frank Wilson]

Two funky ways, remove solenoid or use extensions.

I did have the wobble socket and extensions shown on youtube , but could not get it positioned as the guy showed.

I spent well over an hour trying numerous methods and extensions shown on the internet and I came to the conclusion a 2007 4x4 el limited has something off in the architecture from later years.

Though I could be wrong.

I consider solenoid removal as the only way to remove the starter.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement,and suggestions.

The fuel pump and plug change combined took less time