190d starter?

[smokinbubba]

Hello all. New to this mercedes thing but an old hand at diesels. Dodge rams to be exact. I believe I have a junk starter on my 87 190 2.5 turbo. Just bought the car and when I turn the key the starter winds up but wont engauge the flexplate! Sometimes it will grind but mostly it just winds up and nothing! I was about to remove the thing tonight and check for a bad bendix or something. When I got it on the lift and went to remove the bolts I was shocked to see there was no feesable way to get the top starter bolt loose What kind of funky tool do you folks use to remove a starter????? Nothing in my big craftsman box would even come close to working. Tried universals, wrenches, wishing it off. nothing would work! PLEASE HELP a newbee. Thanks, Bubba
Oh yes and when I get the starter replaced I need to swap out the differential
Im sure there will be lots of questions there!!

[Jetmugg]

Here's what you need to pull that starter.... I just pulled my whole trans. a couple weeks ago.

Get some long 3/8" drive extensions (you will need about 2-3 feet of extensions in all),a 3/8" drive u-joint, and a regular depth 17mm 3/8 drive socket. 1/2" drive stuff doesn't want to fit.

Run the extensions down along the side of the tranny tunnel, and put the ratchet handle on at a location about even with the output shaft of the trans.

It sounds like your starter drive, or "bendix" is bad, and will need to be replaced.

SteveM.

[whunter]

Is my memory going bad?
I thought it was 10MM allen head bolts on the 1987 190D 2.5 turbo???

A mind is a terrible thing to loose!!!

I use my three foot 3/8 drive extension, many tool stores have them.

Remember to disconnect your battery or you will be smokinbubba!!!

[smokinbubba]

thanks all, I was using 1/2" stuff no wonder it wont fit!! Ill round up the 3/8" stuff and get cracking on it after work.
Where do you guys recommend I get a new starter? Advanced auto has one for $150. Im sure its a reman. Thanks again, Bubba

Im thinking the bolta are somewhere near 15mm maybe 16. They are big.

[Jetmugg]

All the tranny bolts (10 of them) are 17mm.

SteveM.

[smokinbubba]

Man I have never had such a diff time replacing a starter! This thing is shoehorned in there. Took me all of 2 hrs to get it out and another 2 to get the new one in! I even thought about pulling the motor up a little for clearance. I think that this car is an awsome looker and after I replace the differential I want to drive it some to see if im going to keep her. Thanks again for all the help, Bubba