I'm hoping there's some trick to this that eludes me.By the way, I've already replaced the starter battery cable, and the ground cable to the engine block. The starter really is dead.
Starter Removal MD7A
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Carl Thunberg
- Posts: 1302
- Joined: Nov 21st, '05, 08:20
- Location: CD28 Cruiser "Loon" Poorhouse Cove, ME
Starter Removal MD7A
After climbing in through the cockpit locker and crawling on my belly down to the back side of the engine to remove the starter on my Volvo MD7A, I was confronted with this remarkable piece of engineering. Does anyone have any clue how I'm supposed to remove the bolt on the left side of the starter motor? The gear teeth on the flywheel project above the bolt head, so there's no way to back this bolt off. I can't swing a wrench on the nut on the back side because there's no room to swing. I can grip it, but that's it. I'm really hoping I don't have to remove the flywheel. I'm hoping there's some trick to this that eludes me.
By the way, I've already replaced the starter battery cable, and the ground cable to the engine block. The starter really is dead.
I'm hoping there's some trick to this that eludes me.By the way, I've already replaced the starter battery cable, and the ground cable to the engine block. The starter really is dead.
CDSOA Commodore - Member No. 725
"The more I expand the island of my knowledge, the more I expand the shoreline of my wonder"
Sir Isaac Newton
"The more I expand the island of my knowledge, the more I expand the shoreline of my wonder"
Sir Isaac Newton
Hi Carl -
I went through this same exercise in frustration last summer. My inelegant solution was to use the open end of a standard crescent wrench with a slightly offset handle which allowed me to make a 1/12th turn, flip the wrench over to make another 1/12th turn, flip it over again, etc. It felt like it took hours to get the one bolt out of there. The hole is big enough that once the nut is off the bolt will clear the teeth on the flywheel, though it looks like it shouldn't. Its not an easy process but it can be done without removing the flywheel. You might as well make yourself comfortable down there because it might take a while.
It shouldn't be difficult to find someone to rebuild the starter if necessary once you have it out. Remember: fuel shutoff first and then key!
I went through this same exercise in frustration last summer. My inelegant solution was to use the open end of a standard crescent wrench with a slightly offset handle which allowed me to make a 1/12th turn, flip the wrench over to make another 1/12th turn, flip it over again, etc. It felt like it took hours to get the one bolt out of there. The hole is big enough that once the nut is off the bolt will clear the teeth on the flywheel, though it looks like it shouldn't. Its not an easy process but it can be done without removing the flywheel. You might as well make yourself comfortable down there because it might take a while.
It shouldn't be difficult to find someone to rebuild the starter if necessary once you have it out. Remember: fuel shutoff first and then key!
reply
carl,
i did this several years ago, the same way mitch describes. the only thing i can add is that the shorter the open end wrench is the more you can turn it. i think i even cut a cheap wrench handle to make it more maneuverable, if i remember right.
good luck, and stay nimble down there
i did this several years ago, the same way mitch describes. the only thing i can add is that the shorter the open end wrench is the more you can turn it. i think i even cut a cheap wrench handle to make it more maneuverable, if i remember right.
good luck, and stay nimble down there
crowfoot wrench
Carl,
you might try to find a crowfoot wrench to be used with a ratchet handle, like this:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog
I've used these in automotive work. Cheap ones ($5) are available at auto parts stores or Sears and often work better as they are thinner. You're still faced with the limited angle like Mitch mentioned but you can often get 1/6 or 1/4 turn.
Good luck,
Jeff
you might try to find a crowfoot wrench to be used with a ratchet handle, like this:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp ... ir=catalog
I've used these in automotive work. Cheap ones ($5) are available at auto parts stores or Sears and often work better as they are thinner. You're still faced with the limited angle like Mitch mentioned but you can often get 1/6 or 1/4 turn.
Good luck,
Jeff
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Carl Thunberg
- Posts: 1302
- Joined: Nov 21st, '05, 08:20
- Location: CD28 Cruiser "Loon" Poorhouse Cove, ME
Keep On The Sunny Side
Thanks, Mitch. You just put this project in a whole new light. When I start to complain about being wedged between the hull and the cockpit sole with bleeding knuckles, I can comfort myself with the knowledge that it could have been worse. Jeff, that crowfoot wrench looks like it's just what the doctor ordered. Thanks everyone!
CDSOA Commodore - Member No. 725
"The more I expand the island of my knowledge, the more I expand the shoreline of my wonder"
Sir Isaac Newton
"The more I expand the island of my knowledge, the more I expand the shoreline of my wonder"
Sir Isaac Newton
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Neil Gordon
- Posts: 4367
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 17:25
- Location: s/v LIQUIDITY, CD28. We sail from Marina Bay on Boston Harbor. Try us on channel 9.
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Carl Thunberg
- Posts: 1302
- Joined: Nov 21st, '05, 08:20
- Location: CD28 Cruiser "Loon" Poorhouse Cove, ME
Post Mortem Follow-Up
I finally made it back to the boat yesterday to try out the ideas everyone provided. The crowfoot wrench worked great! The whole job took about an hour. My only complaint and warning to others is that I bought a cheap set of crowfoot wrenches at a chain auto parts store, and the crowfoot kept falling off the socket extension. That was a real pain in the butt. You get what you pay for!
Finding a shop to rebuild the starter is proving harder than I thought. In this disposable world we live in, it seems no one rebuilds starters any more. I could buy a new one, but re-building the old one just seems to be more environmentally responsible and helps support an American small business. I just need to find one.
Finding a shop to rebuild the starter is proving harder than I thought. In this disposable world we live in, it seems no one rebuilds starters any more. I could buy a new one, but re-building the old one just seems to be more environmentally responsible and helps support an American small business. I just need to find one.
CDSOA Commodore - Member No. 725
"The more I expand the island of my knowledge, the more I expand the shoreline of my wonder"
Sir Isaac Newton
"The more I expand the island of my knowledge, the more I expand the shoreline of my wonder"
Sir Isaac Newton
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Oswego John
- Posts: 3535
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 20:42
- Location: '66 Typhoon "Grace", Hull # 42, Schooner "Ontario", CD 85D Hull #1
Starter Motor
Carl,
New and rebuilt starters cost megabucks. Those starters are brutes and seldom break down from anything serious.
I have found that 90% of the problems are poor electrical ground, worn brushes or an internal cold solder joint let go. Sometimes worn shaft bearings.
Try to look up "Electrical Motor Service" or something similar in the yellow pages. Ask them if they can give your starter a growler test.
BTW, if your setup used them, make sure that you replace any alignment and depth shims between your starter and the block. Some people don't bother to replace them and wonder why they have problems.
Good luck,
O J
New and rebuilt starters cost megabucks. Those starters are brutes and seldom break down from anything serious.
I have found that 90% of the problems are poor electrical ground, worn brushes or an internal cold solder joint let go. Sometimes worn shaft bearings.
Try to look up "Electrical Motor Service" or something similar in the yellow pages. Ask them if they can give your starter a growler test.
BTW, if your setup used them, make sure that you replace any alignment and depth shims between your starter and the block. Some people don't bother to replace them and wonder why they have problems.
Good luck,
O J