Starter motor replacement

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Dollywobbler
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Starter motor replacement

Post by Dollywobbler »

So, thanks to the wonderful Mr Fenwick, who I owe much thanks and also some actual cash, I have another starter motor. Went to fit it this afternoon but came a cropper on the bolt nearest the clutch fork. Do you have to remove the fork to gain access to the bolt? If so, why on earth does it appear to be a 22m bolt head?! I've got 21mm and 23mm...

I get really annoyed when simple jobs just aren't because of stupid design. Now I have a disabled BX and am faced with a 24 mile journey to buy yet another sodding socket that I'll probably never use again.
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Post by KevR »

Just looked and there's no 22mm bolt on the clutch fork pivot of any of my BXs (all TDs)... and I've never needed anything other the appropriate allen key to remove the starter. Can you get at the obscured one with a ball ended allen key - that seems to ring a bell.
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rayfenwick
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Re: Starter motor replacement

Post by rayfenwick »

Dollywobbler wrote:So, thanks to the wonderful Mr Fenwick, who I owe much thanks and also some actual cash...
Always glad to help ;)
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Dollywobbler
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Post by Dollywobbler »

I've only got one allen key that fits, and that's not going anywhere near with the arm in the way. It isn't the ball type.
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Post by KevR »

OK, lateral thinking... can you make up use a short 8mm (assuming they are 87mm head allen bolts) headed bolt insterted into the allen bolt, with a couple of nuts locked on the thread and an open ended spanner to turn the whole contraption? Once it's started turning, you could keep it going easily enough and withdraw the starter from the bolt rather than the other way round (presumably if there's no clearance for an allen key there's none to withdraw the bolt either).

Other possibility - if you decide you do need to remove the clutch fork, do you have any imperial sockets? You may find a 7/8 one will fit adequately.
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Post by Defender110 »

22mm is a standard size = 7/8", 21 & 23 are the odd balls?????? with 24 or 15/16" being the next standard. Tis up north anyhows!
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Post by Dollywobbler »

Defender110 wrote:22mm is a standard size = 7/8", 21 & 23 are the odd balls?????? with 24 or 15/16" being the next standard. Tis up north anyhows!
My socket seems to think 7/8s is 23mm. Too sloppy anyway while a 21mm won't go on. I was therefore assuming it's 22mm but perhaps it isn't!

Kev - I like your thinking. The 2CV has some bolts that size so I may have to experiment when it's light/above zero again...
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mat_fenwick
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Post by mat_fenwick »

I've never had to remove the clutch for on any XUD engined car either, and although I have ball ended allen keys I've always cracked them off with the standard end.
But if you do buy a 22mm socket you'll find it useful for the crank pulley when doing cambelt changes...

( :lol: at Ray - I was going to suggest that you must have also paid a visit!)
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Post by Dollywobbler »

I'm very confused then - I tried everything and there was no way I could get my allen key on it at all. Going through the fork left it skewed and the short end (maybe it just isn't short enough) was too long and fouled on the fork assembly. The 8mm headed nut sounds like a plan though.

Got to get it sorted as the BX is going to be racking up a LOT of miles over the next week or so and currently, it can't even drag its arse around my driveway!
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mat_fenwick
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Post by mat_fenwick »

Can you sacrifice an allen key and cut off a straight length to act as an extender? You could turn that with an 8mm socket. You would then have an excuse to invest in a set of ball ended allen keys - maybe for Christmas...
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docchevron
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Post by docchevron »

Your car will be a 19Na then, they have different clutch arms than TD's / valvers / GTi's etc.
Yes, the clutch arm will have to be removed, although every single NA I've ever had to remove the clutch arm on has been a 21MM bolt.
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Post by Way2go »

Dollywobbler wrote: My socket seems to think 7/8s is 23mm. Too sloppy anyway while a 21mm won't go on. I was therefore assuming it's 22mm but perhaps it isn't!
7/8 is only less than a 1/4mm bigger than 22mm (7/8 x 25.4 = 22.225mm) but I suppose if your 7/8 socket already has a big tolerance then it may appear extra slack. :?
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Dollywobbler
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Post by Dollywobbler »

docchevron wrote:Your car will be a 19Na then, they have different clutch arms than TD's / valvers / GTi's etc.
Yes, the clutch arm will have to be removed, although every single NA I've ever had to remove the clutch arm on has been a 21MM bolt.
Hmmm. As the 8mm bolt trick has failed, maybe I'll try the 21mm again. Might just have been my frustration preventing it from fitting last night! Now, frostbite is the issue...
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Post by Dollywobbler »

Thanks folks. I can confirm that it is a 23mm headed bolt, and it came straight out at the first attempt! Gawd knows what I was playing at last night...

Replacement starter fitted and it started straight away absolutely instantly, so I'm blaming the starter motor entirely. Ironically, it's got a Quinton Hazell sticker on it - I blame those work-shy folk at their factory in North Wales... :P

I'll get back on to the chap who fitted it during the summer now and see if I can get my money back...
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Post by mat_fenwick »

Dollywobbler wrote:it's got a Quinton Hazell sticker on it - I blame those work-shy folk at their factory in North Wales... :P
:lol: Not guilty! The rotating electrical parts come from Brownhills, in which case it's all the fault of the work-shy Brummies :P (unless manufacture has now been outsourced to India...)
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